Let's Map Neu York: Redefining Inclusion One Oasis At A Time

Forbes

13-05-2025

From Broadway theaters to local bookstores, the city's most stimulating environments are becoming ... More easier to navigate for those who process the world differently.
New York City is many things. It is loud, layered, and full of life. But for neurodivergent individuals, it can also be overwhelming, disorienting, and inaccessible. Now, with the launch of Let's Map Neu York, an initiative from the nonprofit KultureCity, that experience is beginning to shift, one thoughtfully chosen location at a time with the goal of inclusion.
This sensory-accessibility project doesn't just mark venues on a digital map. It marks a turning point in how we consider, design, and share public spaces. From Broadway theaters to local bookstores, the city's most stimulating environments are becoming easier to navigate for those who process the world differently.
At its core, Let's Map Neu York isn't about changing what New York is. It's about making sure more ... More people get to enjoy it.
At its core, Let's Map Neu York isn't about changing what New York is. It's about making sure more people get to enjoy it.
"At KultureCity, we've always believed that inclusion starts with understanding, and that true accessibility is about creating spaces where people feel like they belong," says Executive Director Uma Srivastava. "New York City can be a lot. For some, it's energizing. For others, it's overwhelming. Let's Map Neu York was born from the idea that no one should have to navigate the city alone. By highlighting places that offer a little calm amid the chaos, we're helping neurodivergent individuals experience NYC on their terms."
The slight tweak in spelling, Neu York, signals something deeper: a recognition and embrace of neurodivergent perspectives.
The initiative launched with a curated selection of 125 locations, many of which have received KultureCity's sensory-inclusive certification. That includes staff training, sensory bags, and social stories that help set expectations. But just as crucially, local ambassadors contributed their quiet sanctuaries: parks, cafes, and corners of calm that might not appear on TripAdvisor, but can mean the difference between shutting down and showing up.
"We can't wait to see this list grow to several hundred," Srivastava adds. "Our launch focuses on Manhattan, but our goal is to expand to all boroughs and eventually to other large cities like Nashville, Philadelphia, Seattle, Birmingham, and others!"
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 05: Christopher Jackson attends the 2017 Public Theater Gala at Delacorte ... More Theater on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
For KultureCity board member and Broadway actor Christopher Jackson, the cause is profoundly personal.
"When my son C.J. was diagnosed with autism, my entire understanding of the world, and how we move through it, changed completely," he says. "I saw how environments can either empower or isolate. Suddenly, every restaurant, airport, or venue became something we had to prepare for, because we didn't know if it would be manageable or overwhelming for him."
Jackson, best known for his roles in Hamilton and The Heights, understands the power of public spaces, especially in the arts. For him, inclusion must go beyond access and be about experience.
"There's been a real evolution in how we think about inclusion in the arts and public venues, not just who gets through the door, but how they experience what's inside," he explains. "For neurodivergent individuals, accessibility often isn't about stairs or doors. It's about lighting, sound, crowds, and unpredictability. And for years, that was overlooked."
That landscape is shifting. Theaters now offer sensory-friendly performances, museums designate quiet hours, and airports, stadiums, and concert venues increasingly partner with groups like KultureCity to train staff and supply sensory support kits.
"These aren't just logistical changes. They're cultural ones," Jackson says. "They signal a growing recognition that people process the world in different ways, and that everyone deserves a rich, full experience."
"New York has always been a stressful place for me to navigate," says Sean Culkin. "As an autistic ... More man, I have a time limit on the amount of overwhelming stimuli I can take in before I retreat into myself and shut down."
The ripple effects of Let's Map Neu York are already being felt. For neurodivergent advocate and early user Sean Culkin, the map has changed his relationship with the city.
"New York has always been a stressful place for me to navigate," says Culkin. "As an autistic man, I have a time limit on the amount of overwhelming stimuli I can take in before I retreat into myself and shut down."
That changed with the map's arrival.
"Let's Map Neu York has already given me something I thought I would never have: a sense of control. By listing all of the places that bring people like me peace, I can better plan my days navigating the Big Apple. It reminds me that even in New York's most chaotic environments, there is always a safe harbor."
The implications stretch far beyond individual comfort. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 Americans lives with a disability. A growing number of those identify as neurodivergent. Yet cities remain largely built around neurotypical norms, often unintentionally excluding those with sensory sensitivities.
Culkin adds, "The most important thing about sensory accessibility is that it benefits all people in New York, both locals and tourists. One in four people has some kind of sensory need, but being overwhelmed by your environment is not a phenomenon restricted to the neurodiverse population."
In other words, what helps one group can help everyone. That's the foundation of universal design, a principle that's increasingly being embraced across industries and institutions.
KultureCity plans to scale the initiative nationwide, and their message to businesses is simple: ... More inclusion is not out of reach.
Let's Map Neu York is only the beginning. KultureCity plans to scale the initiative nationwide, and their message to businesses is simple: inclusion is not out of reach.
"We encourage businesses large and small, coffee shops to pizza shops to bookstores to retail locations, to look into becoming sensory accessible and inclusive," Srivastava urges. Obtaining the KultureCity certification is fairly simple: staff training, providing sensory bags, and building out a social story. You, too, can make your venue/business accessible to all!"
Jackson agrees, and sees opportunity far beyond the stage.
"This project is a blueprint, and I hope it helps other communities realize that inclusion isn't a luxury. It's a responsibility," he says. "I'd love to see theaters across the country incorporate sensory-inclusive practices not just as one-off events, but as part of their everyday experience."
Culkin echoes the sentiment.
"I hope that more spaces in New York will develop the resources to see themselves on this list! KultureCity is setting the bar for what it means to be sensory accessible, and that provides an opportunity for many locations to build more resources that can be featured on this list."
Visibility remains a key driver of change, especially in cities where the pace can outstrip empathy. ... More When the Let's Map Neu York campaign lit up Times Square, it wasn't just a symbolic gesture.
Visibility remains a key driver of change, especially in cities where the pace can outstrip empathy. When the Let's Map Neu York campaign lit up Times Square, it wasn't just a symbolic gesture.
"Because visibility creates belonging," Jackson says. "When you see a massive screen in Times Square sharing something like 'Let's Map Neu York,' you're not just seeing a campaign, you're seeing a city say, 'We see you.'"
Srivastava agrees. "We hope that folks will be empowered to venture into the city experience inclusion, and know that there are spots to decompress and enjoy the rest of the day! New York City doesn't have to be as overwhelming as it tends to be!"