By Fraser Sr. Speech-Language Pathologist and Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor Casey Montney, David Booth, and Pam Dewey • inclusion events, inclusive events, sensory friendly events, sensory friendly accommodations, disability accommodations, sensory processing disorder, sensory processing differences, sensory processing sensitivity, autism accommodations, autism inclusion, disability inclusion, events for autistic people, events for disabled people, neurodiversity, neurodiversity inclusion, creating inclusion • April 10, 2025
Talking about inclusion when discussing events and performances has become much more common. Inclusion can mean different things, but when discussing events, it typically refers to accommodations for people with disabilities and sensory processing differences.
Up to 1 in 3 people experience sensory processing differences. It’s most common among those with autism, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), trauma and other emotional/behavioral issues. They can be triggered by sensory information like loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, crowds and more. It leads to sensory overload or emotional withdrawal, which can spark a need to escape, frustration or a complete shutdown.
Inclusive events create plans that accommodate people with sensory differences, often by reducing sound levels, eliminating flashing lights and providing accommodations like take-a-break spaces or earplugs.
“The first concert I attended with earplugs was life-changing,” says Casey Montney, Fraser Sr. Speech-Language Pathologist and Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor.
What sensory input can feel overwhelming?
Along with working at Fraser, Casey has been a Fraser Sensory Support Volunteer at inclusive events since 2019. Casey is autistic and has ADHD. She is sensitive to bright lights and certain smells. She experiences migraines and has found that fluorescent lights and strong smells can make migraines last longer. Crowds, too, feel overwhelming.
Casey says events that offer earplugs are helpful. She also really appreciates when there is a take-a-break space at an event or business. A take-a-break space is typically a separate, quiet room with soft lighting, comfortable seating and sensory support tools, like fidgets and weighted items. These spaces provide a safe space to escape when feeling overwhelmed, rather than leaving an event. In the spaces, individuals can reset and calm their bodies.
Like Casey, David Booth finds some noises overwhelming, like loud chewing noises and people typing on certain keyboards. He also has difficulty with particular foods and smells. Some types of clothing — like khakis and denim — irritate his skin. David has autism. He is also an occasional Fraser Sensory Support Volunteer.
Like many people, when David feels overwhelmed, he turns to his phone for support. He likes to watch videos of flags flying or airplanes taking off. Both types of videos soothe him and help him reset. At crowded events, like baseball games, he also likes to use a take-a-break space.
“When I feel like people are invading my personal space and squishing me into my seat, it’s helpful to have a quiet space to take a break in and get away from the crowds,” says David.
Inclusion is about more than accommodations
Both Casey and David acknowledge that the feeling of inclusion is part of the importance of these events. David has an inclusive open gym event that he regularly attends. He loves it.
“They don’t care that you have a different way of looking at things or a different brain,” says David. “I like the open atmosphere and nonjudgemental space to be myself in. It gives me an opportunity to let out the energy in me and feel refreshed and refueled.”
Inclusion normalizes sensory processing differences
Casey has seen the Fraser Sensory Certified™ Supports and Training program grow, and inclusive events become more commonplace throughout the community. As these accommodations have become normalized, she’s noticed that fewer kids and individuals need supports at events.
“I feel like when I go to places like Children’s Theatre Company now; I very rarely have to support kids,” says Casey. “This is a testament to the environments they’re creating and the support of organizations like Fraser. The fact that it has become so normal and consistent is amazing.”
Having the spaces makes sensory differences seem normal, making more people feel like they belong both at these events and in the community, says Casey. Making these small accommodations can also prevent full meltdowns or the need to leave events.
Creating inclusions allows more people to experience cultural events
“Let’s face it — it’s not fun for kids, teens or adults to have to stay home all the time,” says Casey. “By creating these opportunities, people with sensory differences learn how to be successful in society. Also, more culture is spread and shared with more people.”
David also dreams of a world where we all support each other.
“At the end of the day, human beings are all a family. We can all make sacrifices for each other, to make things more comfortable for others, and so we can all achieve together,” says David. “I certainly prefer seeing people up and doing well, rather than seeing people down.”
Interested in attending an inclusive event? Join us at the Fraser Festival, presented by Central Roofing Company on Sat., May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul.
It’s a sensory-friendly, community event, created for people with sensory processing differences. It’s both a celebration of neurodiversity and a judgment-free zone for people of all ages, abilities, neurodiversities, cultures and backgrounds to be themselves and have fun. And it’s free.