TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Dialogue Coffee House hosted its second annual Abilities Day at the zoo. A fun day aimed to include everyone.

“This year’s theme is roaring with possibilities, and it’s really just focusing on fostering inclusion within our community and providing a safe and fun environment for all of our friends with different abilities,” said Chelsea Huston, community engagement manager at Dialogue Coffee House.

Lisa Trotter and her family attended the event in search of a welcoming and fun environment for her son.

“Since the expectation is for kids with disabilities, you feel more of a safe environment for parents, caretakers, and teachers to kind of be their selves out here and be accepted,” Trotter said.

“When we were going through the giraffe exhibit, Barren had an issue going through the doors, but everyone’s understanding and they gave him time to adjust and familiarize himself with the environment. So, that is nice, the understanding,” she continued.

Abilities Day also helped bridge the gap in the community.

“Doing something as simple as going to the zoo can be inclusive really focusing on bringing in our friends outside of the world of different abilities and giving them an opportunity to hang out with these people,” Huston said.

Attendees enjoyed viewing the animals, eating cookies, and making new friends.

“Just seeing the cute little kids just having fun and just seeing the smiles on their faces is just the cutest,” said Bekah Henderson, Dialogue team member. “It’s beautiful, I got to see the hippo I haven’t seen in years. The elephants were amazing, the tigers, the lions, just beautiful.”

Dialogue Coffee House, along with the Capper Foundation, sponsored the event. More than 700 people gathered for Dialogue Abilities Day while 1,200 people registered.

Dialogue hosts abilities days on the first Monday of the month at their Fellowship Bible Church location.

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