Don't Just Dim the Lights.

The Weitz Family Foundation and Common Senses Festival invited guests to a half-day symposium exploring what makes a performance or gallery a truly inclusive environment for individuals with cognitive disabilities and sensory sensitivities.

Attendees heard from renowned national experts who discussed not only how to create inclusive experiences, but also whythey matter. The symposium also highlighted a pilot program designed to bridge the arts and the clinical world.

The terms “sensory friendly” and “relaxed setting” had become common in the vocabulary of arts educators and administrators. Museums, theaters, dance companies, and movie theaters across the country were offering sensory-friendly performances and experiences. While it was encouraging to see the cultural sector expand opportunities for this population, the conversation emphasized that much work remained in shifting perceptions—transforming these experiences from being seen as “special” to being understood as accommodations that benefit everyone, every day.