Prom.

It’s a rite of passage for the typical American highschooler, giving kids a chance to become their most glamourous version of themselves, even if just for one night. And there’s a growing awareness of the need to make this kind of magic available to people with special needs, too.

One increasingly popular example is Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Local churches partner with Night to Shine to host proms for people 14 years and older with special needs in their communities. There is no cost for the guests to attend, and expenses like dresses, suits, hair and makeup, and even limo rides are covered by the sponsors. Local stores donate dresses, suits and all the accessories, and the guests are escorted by volunteers who make sure they feel like the kings and queens they are.

“I’ve been involved in several of these proms,” says Mara Topps, Solutions Coordinator at Partners4Housing. In her previous work as a behavioral health specialist in a community group home setting, several of the people in her organization attended these proms.

“I was thoroughly impressed every year that I went,” Topps says. “The sponsors partner with local boutiques who provide the dresses free of charge, and limos were booked for the guests, who were escorted by junior ROTC students to experience the full red-carpet treatment when they arrived at the event.

Once inside, all guests are paired with a volunteer buddy as their “date” for the night, giving the caregivers a night off in a separate area.

“There is a full spread for caregivers, and they are treated really well,” Topps continues. “There is all the food you can imagine, all the desserts ... the sponsors do a great job making them feel welcome and special, too.”

Some advocates for inclusivity push back on “separate” proms like Night to Shine, saying they miss the point. Why not focus instead of working with schools to be more welcoming and accessible to students with disabilities?

“It’s a valid point,” agrees Topps, who feels schools can certainly do more to make their proms accessible for all students who want to attend. Yet an experience tailored specifically to the needs of people with IDD offers some real advantages, she believes, especially for people who may need more assistance to have a safe and fun experience.

“Including the caregivers is a really important part of why these events are successful,” she notes. She was also impressed with how professional and caring the volunteer buddies were the whole night. It’s this kind of special attention that makes Night to Shine a success.

“The first year I cried such tears of joy,” Topps says. “They looked so beautiful, we danced and partied all night. Every single one of my clients had a fantastic time.”

Interested in accessible proms in your community?

Visit Night to Shine to volunteer at a local event. And explore Kids Included Together for help planning an inclusive prom in your community.