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The halls of iHOPE Academy were filled with color, music, and celebration on Friday, June 13, as the students at the Upper School marked one of the most anticipated events of the year: prom. Designed with accessibility and individuality in mind, the afternoon reflected the school’s commitment to meeting students where they are while giving them space to express who they are.
Leading up to the big day, students also had a hand in choosing the prom’s theme. Theme selection was a schoolwide effort that empowered students to vote within three categories—color, feelings, and weather—to come up with the fun and silly combination: Pink, Happy, Sun. These categories were pulled from universal communication flip charts used throughout the school day, ensuring the language was familiar and accessible. Voting was adapted to meet every student’s communication needs, from using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and switches to pointing at symbols.
“The planning committee put so much thought into every detail, creating spaces where all of our students could celebrate in their own way,” said Jennifer Hensley, Director of Occupational Therapy at iHOPE and head of the prom committee. “Our dedicated staff were there every step of the way, offering support and ensuring each student felt comfortable, included, and enjoyed the day on their terms.”
Another meaningful addition was Mingleville, a concept developed last year by Nyla Mulcahy, a speech and language pathologies at iHOPE. Hosted in a classroom space, Mingleville offered students the chance to connect and converse with upper school peers they don’t often interact with. With support from the speech-language team, students used their communication devices to engage in meaningful peer-to-peer conversations—making social connection a core part of the celebration.
From tailored outfits prepared in the days leading up to prom by the occupational therapy sewing circle, to a sensory-friendly silent disco where students could set the volume and pace to their liking, every element of the event was thoughtfully designed to prioritize student choice, comfort, and expression.
Popular NYC nail artist @canipaintyournails also played a special role, offering free manicures in the days leading up to the big day. Students practiced self-advocacy by independently scheduling their appointments and choosing custom designs that matched their outfits and personalities.
The afternoon was filled with dancing, themed decorations, photo opportunities, and a graduate court presentation.
“My favorite part of the day was watching the faces of parents as their children paraded into the room, there was so much pride, joy, and love,” said Shani Chill, Executive Director at iHOPE. “It was a celebration of our students at their finest.”
“We were proud to see such a wonderful turnout of family and friends, making it a true community celebration,” Hensley added. “It was more than just a party, it was a powerful reflection of our iHOPE community and a reminder that inclusivity, student choice, and togetherness are at the center of everything we do.”