September 22 is Ability Awareness Day on the town common alongside Winchester Farmers Market with hands-on learning experiences for people of all ages and abilities throughout the morning.

Scooter and wheelchair demonstrations happen from 9:30–10:30 and continue for the rest of the morning. Ann Kostos, disabilities coordinator for Winchester and organizer of the day’s events, invites people to operate a wheelchair or scooter and try out the lift on a wheelchair van.

At 10:30, participants can learn a song in American Sign Language. A sign language expert will teach the audience a song or poem.

The Kids on the Block (KOTB) puppets arrive at 11:00. KOTB puppets have been teaching kids about disabilities since 1977. Local high school students will act as puppeteers. The KOTB website says that its puppets “model relationships between people, both with and without disabilities, by using frank and often humorous communication.” Stay after the show for the opportunity to ask questions of the puppets.

In the final activity at 11:30, participants are invited to decorate masks and join in an interactive improv performance led by Brio Integrated Theatre. According to Sahar, Brio’s creative director, this Winchester-based group aims to integrate people of all abilities in the arts. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate.

Ability Awareness Day is sponsored by the Jenks Center, Brio Integrated Theatre, and Winchester Disability Access Commission.