Accessibility
Hope for Abaco hopes that all guests enjoy the festival and recognizes that some people need accessibility-related assistance. Many access-related questions are answered below. For additional inquiries, please contact us at abacodec14@gmail.com
Hope for Abaco is held on county fairground property. The terrain includes asphalt, concrete, grass, and curbs. The fair ground site is over 1/2-mile long and parking can be a distance from the gate. Hope for Abaco does not provide shuttle or push service. Please come prepared to get around the site on your own! Some people have found that electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters make all the difference.
ACCESS ASSISTANCE AT THE INFORMATION CENTERS
The onsite information center is the headquarters for access related information and services. Information center volunteers are available to answer questions and assist in other ways as needed
PARKING
Handicap parking will be available at the main entrance to the fairgrounds by showing a valid disability-parking permit to the attendant. You will then be directed to a parking space close to the main entrance. Please note that parking locations are subject to change without notice.
WHEELCHAIR AREA SEATING
Stage area at Hope for Abaco will offer a designated viewing area for guests in wheelchairs. One adult and any family members under the age of 18 may accompany each person with a disability. If an area becomes over crowded, the security guard or volunteer representative may ask companions to leave the area and make way for people with mobility disabilities. Please note that all wheelchair seating areas have limited capacity.
SERVICE ANIMALS
Service animals are allowed on the grounds provided the animal does not pose a danger or threat to other service animals or patrons. Owners of service animals are responsible for the animal’s personal care. Please make sure to bring water for your service animal.
POWER WHEEL CHAIRS
Power wheelchairs and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed for use by people with mobility disabilities. Two-wheeled scooters or other vehicles are not allowed.
Hope for Abaco asks for as much notice as possible and needs a minimum of two weeks’ notice for any requests for accommodation not already covered by our Access Assistance Program.
SAFETY AT HOPE FOR ABACO
We want our patrons to feel safe. To this end, we work to create a safe environment at the festival. This includes staffing the site with public and private security and medical staff. If you need any assistance, seek out a police officer, EMS professional, or security personnel. Please visit our safety page to view for useful information including our anti-harassment policy. If you have a specific question regarding safety, security or medical information, please contact us at abacodec14@gmail.com
HOW TO GET HELP DURING THE FESTIVAL
Hope for Abaco wants every patron to feel safe at the festival. We will not tolerate any harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, body size, appearance, age or national origin. If you feel like you’re being harassed, are the victim of non-consensual touching, or otherwise feel unsafe, please report it to the nearest police officer, or security personnel.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
If you or a friend need emergency assistance at the festival, we have medical professionals onsite. Be honest with emergency personnel – they are here to help you; NOT get you in trouble. If you see someone who looks like they need help, look for one of our EMS staff, police officers, or security personnel. If you cannot locate someone and see a true emergency please call 911.
ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
Hope for Abaco has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Please let public safety or Hope for Abaco officials know if you feel harassed or threatened in any way.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
If you think you have been the victim of sexual violence or harassment, please report it to the nearest police officer. If you need help locating one, you can visit the information center.
SAFTEY REMINDERS
Keep yourself and your belongings safe. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your personal items at all times such as cell phone and wallet. If you find something OR lose something, head to the nearest information center for our Lost & Found. You can make a lost report online or claim found items. The Martin County Sheriff’s Department will be on the lookout for criminal activity, if you encounter any non-emergency issues you can call the Martin Count Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at . If you cannot locate a public safety professional and have a true emergency call 911.