(Joplin, MO) – Joplin Schools‘ National Honor Society (NHS) students and Peer Buddies at Joplin High School (JHS) will host a sensory-friendly dance called Everybody Dance Now from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2026. JHS students with autism or special sensory needs are invited to attend, free of charge.
To create a sensory-friendly space, the event will feature fun music played at lower volumes. There will also be low lighting in place of strobe lights, a quiet room for those in need of a break, and paid paraprofessionals present to aid any student needs during the dance.
To make this event as accessible as possible, organizers have invited participants to wear comfortable, school-appropriate clothing including anything from pajamas to formal-wear. Pineapple Bliss will donate frozen treats for those in attendance.
JHS Student Body President Annabelle Rutledge said that for many students, the memories formed at high school dances last a lifetime, but the format of a typical dance may not always be accessible to students of varying abilities and needs.
“Dances are not just about dressing up, drinking punch, and jiving to music,” said Annabelle. “They are about connection and community, and they are a sort of rite of passage in our culture. But the strobe lights, blaring music, and large crowds can be overwhelming and distressing to those with sensory needs, and prohibit these individuals from participating in an experience they otherwise would enjoy.”
The goal of NHS in hosting a sensory-friendly dance is to provide an experience for those who may never be able to attend the traditional school-based events, while creating a culture of community and inclusion between NHS members and dance participants.
“We also want to use this event as an opportunity to teach our NHS members the value of service, empathy, and inclusion,” said Annabelle. “It is our hope that we can continue events like this in the future to create a broader environment of awareness and inclusion for generations of students to come.”
Reference:
Sarah Coyne, Director of Communications
Joplin Schools
sarahcoyne@joplinschools.org
Be the first to comment