Tanya Acosta is a Speech Pathologist, mother and the brains behind the non-profit Sensory City—and organization dedicated to making public spaces sensory friendly.
As the parent of a child with a disability, Acosta wants to help public community spaces (such as hotels, museums, airports, theme parks and other areas) better accommodate people with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, ADHD, PTSD and other sensory processing issues.
Sensory City offers a certification process to designate public spaces as “Sensory Friendly Certified.” The organization also offers sensory friendly kits, tools and disability-friendly recommendations to create inclusive areas.
Certification requires the business/organization/institution’s staff to complete Sensory City’s training and adopt the program criteria. Certified establishments get a door decal (to let families know the business is sensory-friendly). You can find “Sensory Friendly Certified” spaces listed on Sensory City’s website.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: Hai Robe via Pixabay
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