22 | AUGUST 10 • 2023 

OUR COMMUNITY

F

or many, carnivals are 
a classic summertime 
must-attend event 
filled with fun rides, games 
and prizes, popular fair 
foods and much more. But 
traditional carnival games 
and rides are not always 
accessible for all. 
JARC, a nonprofit orga-
nization serving adults with 
developmental disabilities 
in metro Detroit, wanted to 
create their own carnival in 
which Metro Detroiters with 
developmental disabilities 
and sensory sensitivities 
could enjoy the beloved 
event without the overstim-
ulation that comes with an 
overcrowded, loud carnival. 
On Sunday, Aug. 
20, a carnival free to 
all individuals with 
developmental disabilities 
and sensory sensitivities and 
their caregivers will be held 
at Adat Shalom Synagogue in 
Farmington Hills. This event 
was generously sponsored 
by the Ellen Labes Festival 
Series. Ellen Labes and 
her family are long-term 
supporters, committed to 
making unique opportunities 
like this possible for those 
served by JARC.
The focus of 
JARC’s carnival is to 
accommodate individuals 

with developmental 
disabilities and sensory 
sensitivities so they can 
comfortably experience 
a carnival alongside 
their caregivers and 
family members, 
and therefore is not 
open to the general 
public. The event 
will feature carnival 
rides and games, 
music and snacks 
and quiet, sensory-
friendly space will 
be available. Food 
will be available for 
purchase, including kosher 
options. 
Rides at the event 
include a Ferris wheel, 
spinning berry, “Phantom’s 
Revenge” boat swing, fun 
house, ballistic swing and a 
trackless train. The carnival 
midway will be full of games, 
including bowling, clown 
knock down, Skee-Ball, ring 
toss, axe throwing, giant 
Connect 4 and much more. 
Other activities and 
attractions include air brush 
tattoos, bounce houses, a 
photo booth, DJ music and 
an opportunity to visit with 
therapy dogs. All games 
and activities are accessible, 
but wheelchairs cannot be 
brought onto rides.

“At JARC, we are 
committed to enriching 
the lives of the people 
we serve, and our goal is 
for these individuals to 
be able to enjoy hobbies, 
activities and events just 
like anyone else,” said JARC 
CEO Shaindle Braunstein. 
“As an organization that 
serves individuals with 
developmental disabilities, 
we have a responsibility to 
create these kinds of exciting 
opportunities in which their 
needs are at the forefront. 
Our hope is that this day 
will be a special memory 
for the people we serve 
and other individuals with 
developmental disabilities 

and sensory sensitivities 
in Metro Detroit, their 
caregivers and families.”
Individuals with 
developmental disabilities 
and their caregivers are 
invited to attend the event 
for free, and tickets for 
family members can be 
purchased for $20 per 
individual or $50 per family. 
Proceeds from the event 
will benefit more of JARC’s 
important programs and 
services which fulfill 
JARC’s mission of enriching 
the lives of people with 
developmental disabilities. 
To reserve tickets, visit 
jarc.org/carnival. 

JARC Carnival for individuals with 
developmental disabilities comes 
to town on Aug. 20.

Fun for All