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I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2023 Super Bowl Experience with an incredible non-profit organization named KultureCity, and I’m excited to share my experience. Imagine attending an event that’s loud, crowded, and full of flashing lights, and where for some people that’s an exciting rush, for others it can be overwhelming.
KultureCity serves the neurodiverse community by providing sensory focused resources so everyone can have a great time at places where people go every day like sporting arenas, cruise ships, zoos, museums, concert halls, and airports.
Neurodiversity can look very different for all who experience it, and for many, it’s something you would never know they are dealing with. These “invisible disabilities” can range from small annoyances to full debilitation and impact more than just our five basic senses. So, as I walked around the convention center, I tried to take note of all the things that might be over-stimulating for someone who has different sensory experiences than myself. Too many to count. I also then took time to notice how many people seemed to be doing just fine in this borderline overwhelming environment and having the time of their life. Too many to count.
The days I spent volunteering at the KultureCity booth were amazing. The organizer, Rena, was an energetic, passionate young professional who truly enjoyed the job she was there doing and a great spokesperson for the work that KultureCity is doing to increase inclusivity for the neurodiverse community. She and her team had a great set-up where we were showcasing and passing out their sensory bag kits which are filled with resources like noise canceling headphones, tactile fidgets, and communication tools, all of which are free to anyone who might benefit from them. Another amazing resource we showcased at the event was their Sensory Activation Vehicle. This vehicle is a mobile, soundproof, sensory friendly room for anyone who needs relief from the event environment they’re attending.
Sitting at the back end of a convention hall for hours doesn’t sound like something for everyone, but I honestly had an absolute blast. We had so many people stop by, and they loved to hear what KultureCity was all about. I specifically remember two young boys coming up to the table, undoubtedly looking for free stuff, who I made listen to my entire speech on KultureCity and why we were there. I really wasn’t sure what these two boys, no older than ten, were taking away from what I was saying, but at the end of my speech they caught me by surprise. One of the boys looks up at me and says, “It’s really sad that some people can’t enjoy everything the same way.” As he gave me a fist bump and ran off with his friend, I realized we were making a difference not just for those who are neurodiverse directly, but also indirectly as we normalize it by talking about it and being present in a neurotypical dominant environment.
Although we spoke to a lot of people who were new to and unfamiliar with the term “neurodiversity”, we made great connections with many people who were either directly or indirectly impacted by neurodiversity in some way. We had families stop by who were there with an autistic child or loved one and really benefited from the sensory bags, and a young lady with PTSD stopped by to use the Sensory Activation Vehicle numerous times throughout the day. People would walk by and read our sign, and for those who are familiar with or are impacted by neurodiversity, just seeing the word “sensory” was like making an instant connection for them. Knowing that there is an organization like KultureCity whose sole mission is to “Make the Nevers Possible” makes people who otherwise feel left out or unimportant feel seen and respected, and I was proud to be part of it.
I work for an ABA provider called ACES and we work with a tremendous community of people, mostly diagnosed with autism. Many of our clients experience sensory sensibilities so it was a pleasure to partnership with KultureCity to support and provide resources for this amazing community. The future will only continue to see a growing focus on accessibility and inclusion, and KultureCity is helping make that happen!
Ryan Bast
ACES Project Manager of Clinical Expansion
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