ABOUT The Band
We are a Band of travelers.
Who We Are
Although we like to rock, we are not a rock-n-roll or musical band. We are a wayfaring band, which means we are a group of people who travel together.
What We Do
We offer road trips, far-flung adventures, and a fellowship program for emerging social leaders.
Who We Serve
Our programs serve adults who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as well as neurotypical leadership fellows. We also grant one spot per tour to an artist-in-residence.
ON THE ROAD
Travelers with disabilities practice independent living skills when they hit the road with the band. Leadership fellows participate in a daily curriculum that addresses inclusion, accessibility, ableism, anti-racism, mutual aid, and more. Our trained staff members create a safe space for everyone to explore and grow.
EVERYBODY IN
Anyone can travel with The Wayfaring Band! Adults with developmental disabilities, caregivers, students, teachers, professionals, activists, or interested community members are all welcome to join us on tour and experience our culture of inclusion firsthand. Be a part of it!
Mission & Vision
Our Mission +
Our mission is to foster inclusion, interdependence, and genuine connection between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities by crafting original, transformative adventures for a neurodiverse band of travelers.
Our Vision +
We reject the assumption that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are limited in their capacity to enjoy the full human experience. We are creating a world where everybody matters, differences enrich, and opportunities are boundless. Our dream is to model our vision of inclusion everywhere we travel, fundamentally altering the way people experience difference. #EverybodyIn!
Anti-Racist Organization +
The Wayfaring Band is committed to taking consistent, persistent action to dismantle racism, both within ourselves and our organization, as well as in our community. We believe structural racism perpetuates and accentuates the existing inequalities that plague our communities, and we believe that people with disabilities are particularly harmed by systemic racism. Claiming an anti-racist identity means that our organization:
- Recognizes racism as a barrier to the effective delivery of our mission;
- Plans and implements programs with awareness of cultural nuances;
- Communicates with cultural sensitivity to our consumers, constituents, and the general public;
- Makes a formal commitment to dismantle racism and inherent white advantage;
- Intentionally engages strategies that develop a shared understanding of systematic racism across all levels of our institution;
- Identifies and collaborates with other organizations doing anti-racism work in the community; and
- Develops processes of shared leadership and inclusive decision-making that are accountable to the people — particularly people and communities of color — who are most directly affected by the issues at hand and/or under review.
We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other organizations and individuals who are addressing racism head-on. We believe that the struggle for collective liberation is its own reward.
CORE VALUES & BEST PRACTICES
Mutual Aid & Service +
We value mutual aid, and we practice that by being of service to others. Lending a hand to people in need empowers us to ask for help when we need it. A culture of mutual aid enables everyone to be a contributing and valued member of society. We all have special gifts, and we all have special needs, and when we successfully express both we feel appreciated.
Inclusion & Hospitality +
We value inclusion, and we practice that by showing hospitality to others. Welcoming people with open arms and hearts creates a warm, inclusive space in which everyone can experience an authentic sense of belonging.
Self-Determination & Reflection +
We value Self-Determination, and we practice that by encouraging reflection. We wish to empower each individual’s capacity to act and make choices, encouraging autonomy. In order to know if we are truly self-advocating to the best of our ability, it is important to frequently reflect and take stock of our progress. Self-awareness helps us face our perceived limitations and exceed our personal expectations, growing in our ability to self-advocate and provide self-care.
Love & Gratitude +
We value love, and we practice that by expressing our gratitude. We believe that happiness is directly proportional to the amount of gratitude we experience and share, and we commit to cultivating an environment of positivity and confidence, in which our love and gratitude can grow and flourish.
Adventure & Risk-Taking +
We value adventure, and we practice that by encouraging risk-taking. When we risk getting out of our comfort zones, we expose ourselves to new activities, conversations, connections, and interactions with each other and the world. Our common passion for adventure aligns us, and we will nurture this spirit of exploration in our programming and in each other.