No one will be left out of Key Biscayne’s Fourth of July festivities thanks to a community partnership that will provide a unique sensory-friendly fireworks show, as well as a nice, shady tent across from the judges’ stand to watch the 67th annual parade Saturday.

Residents with special needs are invited to the 12th floor of the Mar Azul condominium’s Observation Room on Grapetree Drive to watch the offshore fireworks spectacle with noise-canceling headphones from the nonprofit It Takes a Village.

For those who prefer a designated quiet area, they can view the action live-streamed through the Village Beach Camera, which can also be seen in the Observation Room.

Transportation will even be provided from the Community Center.

“We hope (that getting the word out) helps ensure that everyone who would benefit from these accommodations knows they have a place to celebrate with us,” said Ilise Binhak, Chair of the Village of Key Biscayne Disability Advisory Board.

Binhak explained that although the board’s role is primarily to advise and make recommendations to the Village Manager and Council, “We felt strongly that these events need to be accessible for all residents, and we decided to make it happen ourselves this year, and hopefully on an ongoing basis going forward.”

The inspiration for the sensory-friendly event came from a similar program in Coral Gables, organized by Catie Hastings, Accessible Recreation Coordinator for Community Recreation there.

“We had invited Catie to attend the Miami-Dade County Disability Advisory Boards Summit that our board hosted here last month, an event that brought together Disability Advisory Boards from across the county,” Binhak said. “It was there that Catie spoke about her program in detail, and our board came away determined to bring something comparable in Key Biscayne for both the parade and the fireworks.

“To our knowledge, this is the first event of its kind locally for Key Biscayne.”

How it works

Guests with any sensory integration issues, autism or special needs who will benefit from a smaller crowd and a sensory-friendly environment, are invited to enjoy a premier view of the Key Biscayne fireworks from the 12th Floor Mar Azul Observation Room. Space is limited to 40 guests and their families/friends/caregivers.

Note that attendance is by registration only. Individuals will not be admitted if they have not registered. To register, guests can visit the Community Center Front Desk or call (305) 365-8900. Please include any accommodations needed when registering.

There will be noise sensory activities and countdown notifications to help guests prepare for the start of the fireworks. A quiet corner will be available. Every registered guest will receive, by email in advance, a Social Story created specifically for this event. The tool is designed to walk guests through exactly what to expect, step by step, so there are no surprises.

Who supported the event

Binhak said the Key Biscayne Disability Advisory Board is appreciative to everyone in the community that made this possible.

“Mar Azul Condominium Association President Guillermo Garcia-Lay and the Association members are extraordinarily gracious in offering to let us use their 12th Floor Observation Room as our venue,” she said. “It makes all the difference in being able to offer guests an intimate fireworks viewing experience with a manageable crowd.

“Our Village Staff liaison, Todd Hofferberth, along with Parks & Recreation organized dedicated Freebee transportation running to and from the Community Center to the Mar Azul building and also be transported back immediately following the fireworks, removing a significant logistical barrier for many families.

“Elton Aguilera from S.T.A.R.S. will be on-site providing staffing support throughout the event depending on guests’ needs. It Takes a Village is providing noise-canceling headphones, water, and snacks.”

Village Council member Nancy Stoner, the liaison to the Disability Advisory Board and who helped get the ball rolling for the very successful Miami-Dade County Disability Advisory Boards Summit, was impressed by the teamwork.

“This effort by the DAB is proof that the DAB’s tireless efforts to collaborate with other municipalities and experts pays off!” she said. “I am in awe of the board’s dedication!”

July 4th parade accessibility

At the 11 a.m. parade, there will be an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) tent available for individuals for better physical accessibility, providing a designated and accommodating space to enjoy the celebration.

It will be located on Crandon Boulevard by the stage and be clearly marked with signage.

“We hope to see many familiar faces and many new ones on July 4th,” Binhak said.

The next goal is to bring the Sensory Support Space (a mobile station designed to provide a calming environment for individuals with sensory processing sensitivities that offers a range of sensory-friendly features to ensure a comfortable experience at large-scale events) to next year’s parade, or any large-scale event for that matter.

“We are looking for any residents or organizations interested in sponsoring this and we would love to hear from them,” she said.

About the Disability Advisory Board

“Our board is different from most other Village advisory boards in ways that we think matter deeply,” Binhak said. “While most advisory boards focus on a specific topic — parks, zoning, sustainability or recreation — the Disability Advisory Board functions as a lens through which every aspect of Village life can be evaluated: services, facilities, communications, events, policies, and public spaces alike.

“And, uniquely, our board brings the lived experience of people with disabilities, caregivers, seniors, and families directly into local government decision-making — ensuring that the Village moves not just toward legal compliance, but toward a community where all residents can participate fully, safely, independently, and with dignity. In that sense, we serve as a bridge between municipal government and the daily realities of residents whose voices have historically been underrepresented — and we take that responsibility seriously.”

The Village’s Disability Advisory Board, created in 2024, has partnered with the De Moya Foundation to create and support meaningful local employment opportunities for people with disabilities and facilitated the purchase of a beach wheelchair soon to be available at the Beach Park through a collaboration with PADL — with a goal of future beach mats and floating wheelchairs where appropriate.

There is a dedicated Village website for those families with special needs, thanks to Communications Manager Jessica Drouet.

“Looking ahead,” Binhak said, “our board has many recommendations in the pipeline for the Mayor and Council, including a detailed inclusion protocol framework for Parks & Recreation, and using Commissioner Regalado’s NeuroInclusion Toolkit as a guide for identifying the Village’s strengths and areas for growth around accessibility.”