Latest news with #KultureCity
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clark Planetarium expands sensory friendly experience
SALT LAKE CITY () — Clark Planetarium announced that it will be expanding its Sensory Friendly Saturdays program in an effort to provide more accessibility. The experience, which was offered only on the first Saturday of each month, will now be available every Saturday. Beginning on May 31, the event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. According to a press release from the planetarium, Sensory Friendly Saturdays look to provide a welcoming environment for guests with sensory sensitivities. During these hours, the planetarium will adjust the lighting and sound levels in its free exhibit areas, as well as in the Hansen Dome and Northrop Grumman IMAX theatres. Get crafty: 10 unique classes for date nights or family fun along the Wasatch Front There are also sensory support items, such as noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, weighted blankets, needs charts, magnifying glasses, and sensory objects available at the ticketing counter, upon request. The planetarium said these accommodations help create a calmer atmosphere. In 2023, Clark Planetarium earned the Sensory Inclusive Certification through KultureCity, a nonprofit that promotes sensory accessibility and inclusion. The certification ensures that frontline staff are trained to recognize and support guests with sensory processing needs, and that proper accommodations are available. 'Our goal is to make space and science accessible to everyone,' said Duke Johnson, Director of Clark Planetarium. 'By expanding Sensory Friendly Saturdays and maintaining our KultureCity certification, we're reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that all visitors can enjoy what we have to offer.' Alzheimer's Association Utah providing resources, research, and real support for families Plexaderm: Smoother skin in 10 minutes, no needles required Man charged with alleged sexual abuse of human trafficking victim in Duchesne County Sun cloud mix with a few spotty afternoon showers possible TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound I-15 closed near Payson after deadly crash Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
5 cool things to see inside the reimagined IMS museum
After 17 months on the shelf, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reopened to the public early last month. Why it matters: It came back with a whole new vibe and more than $60.5 million in upgrades that completely transformed the experience. Zoom in: The change was so staggering that four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears was stopped in his tracks when he laid eyes on a new gallery honoring the accomplishment he shares with just three other drivers in history. "It's unbelievable. It really is," Mears told the Associated Press. Catch up quick: The museum closed in November 2023 to undergo its first major renovation in 40 years that packs in 40,000 square feet of additional space for new attractions. Fun fact: Accessibility was a major focus of the renovation, including a new wheelchair-friendly racing simulator controlled by the steering wheel instead of the pedals, and a wellness room designed for anybody who needs a break from the action. The museum has also partnered with Kulture City to provide sensory bags that can be checked out at the Welcome Center and establish "headphone areas" for those with sensitivities to noise. Here are five new museum highlights: 🏁 Start your engines The new "Starting Line Experience" is a looping, immersive video experience that lets visitors experience the thrill of being inside IMS on race day, from "Back Home Again In Indiana" to the Snake Pit. 🏆 The GOATs "Best of the Best: The Four-Time Winners" is a ground-floor gallery of cars, suits and more dedicated to Indy 500 careers of Rick Mears, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Helio Castroneves. 🥛 Milk on the mezzanine A new mezzanine for non-vehicle treasures includes one of Alex Palou's suits, the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 trophy and a history on why winners chug milk. 🙌 Going hands-on An all-ages interactive area has racing sims, a dedicated STEAM classroom, games to test reaction time and the opportunity to feel like you're actually part of a pit crew. 🏎️ Rad new rides Car buffs, rejoice. It's still historic cars as far as the eye can see, with the addition of 14 new cars from Chip Ganassi Racing, including five Indianapolis 500 winners. Officials said it is the museum's largest vehicle acquisition since 2011 and the first time modern-era cars have been added to the collection. If you go: 4750 W. 16th St. Open 9am-5pm daily. Tickets start at $25.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Let's Map Neu York: Redefining Inclusion One Oasis At A Time
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!"
Axios
06-03-2025
- Axios
Salt Lake City airport opens first of three sensory rooms
Salt Lake City International Airport wants to provide a smoother travel experience for passengers with sensory processing disorders. Driving the news: The airport this week opened its first room designed to provide a quiet space for people featuring dim lights, beanbags and activity panels. The roughly 100-square-foot room, located in Concourse A, was designed by medical professionals and neurodivergent individuals. Why it matters: Airports can be overwhelming for people with sensory issues, due to large crowds, distracting noises and unforeseen situations. Sensory issues are common among people living with autism, dementia, PTSD and other conditions The big picture: Airports in Atlanta, Portland and San Francisco have opened similar spaces. The Delta Center has provided a sensory room since 2018 on its fifth floor. State of play: The Salt Lake airport worked with Alabama-based nonprofit KultureCity, which provides training on interacting with people with sensory challenges, to create the room. What they're saying:"Whether you're a child who was born with a sensory need, or an adult who acquired it, or a teenager who just gets anxious from time to time, this space is here for you," KultureCity executive director Uma Srivastava told reporters Tuesday. Flashback: The partnership between the city and the nonprofit was formed after the Salt Lake City police shooting of Linden Cameron, an unarmed 13-year-old autistic boy. Cameron was seriously injured when an officer shot him multiple times after his mother called 911 as he was experiencing a mental health crisis. KultureCity later provided training for most of the Salt Lake City Police Department. Airport staff will also receive training annually. What's next: This is the first of three sensory rooms that will be built at the airport. The remaining two are set to open in the fall.
