Apr

Chicago's First Sensory-Friendly Cultural Programming Summit

by Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium and SPD Parent Zone

Event Information

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Date and Time

Tue, April 12, 2016

1:00 PM – 5:30 PM CDT

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Location

Chicago Cultural Center

78 East Washington Street

GAR Hall and Rotunda, 2nd Floor

Chicago, IL 60602

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Event description

Description

Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium (CCAC) and SPD Parent Zone present . . .

Visiting cultural organizations may be unsettling for visitors with sensory issues, including those on the Autism Spectrum and those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The bombardment of sensory information, a change in routine, and concern over others' reactions to their unique needs and helpful tools can translate into a stressful--or even impossible--visit for people in the sensory community. As cultural administrators, you are invited to Chicago's First Sensory-Friendly Summit to learn how to better welcome this community to your organization:

Join Lisa Carling and Leah Diaz from New York City's Theatre Development Fund (TDF) Autism Theatre Initiative to discover how to make sensory-friendly programming a reality.
Hear from Rachel S. Schneider, M.A., MHC, a trained mental health counselor, educator, and writer diagnosed with SPD as an adult, as well as from a local specialist and a sensory parent to explore what is needed for a sensory-friendly visit.
Learn from Chicago-area cultural administrators who have developed programming and services in support of this audience.
Connect with peers from similar organizations to network, share resources, and plan first steps.

Who Should Attend

CCAC programs are always free of charge and open to the public. For this program, we recommend:

mid-level cultural administrators from museums, theaters, zoos, gardens and other cultural spaces
those who officially (or unofficially) are responsible for accessibility at your organization

Arrival Information

The event will take place in the GAR Hall and Rotunda on the second floor of the Cultural Center, on the Randolph street side of the Cultural Center. Use the building entrance at 77 E. Randolph.

The accessible entrance is located on Garland Court, near the Randolph Street entrance.

Accessibility
The accessible entrance is located on Garland Court, near the Randolph Street entrance. The event space is accessible to wheelchair-users and visitors who need to avoid stairs. Open Captioning and Assistive Listening Devices available. To request additional accommodations, contact us with at least two weeks' notice: ChicagoCulturalAccess@gmail.com or 708-921-1980.

All CCAC events are scent-free; please refrain from wearing products with fragrance such as perfume, cologne and lotion.

Check out our Summit Social Narrative to prepare for the Summit!

Thanks To

The Drake Hotel

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago State Street

Equip for Equality and Catherine Rajcan of Efficiency Reporting

Rachel Schneider

SPD Parent Zone

Starbucks

Theatre Development Fund (TDF)

Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)