Grants sought to increase sensory accessibility accommodation

Hunter Gullickson has found that some performances at the state’s most well-known theater have had profound effects not just on attendees, but staff and volunteers as well.

It’s not because of what happened on stage; rather accommodations were made for people who experience sensory challenges and may enjoy a more relaxed experience. Examples include having a quiet area in the lobby, keeping house lights on, removing strobe effects or reducing loud noises.

“Time and time again people attending these performances have told us this is the first time they’ve ever felt they could attend live theater,” said Gullickson, accessibility manager at the Guthrie Theater.

Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), the parent of a child with autism, said his family goes to sensory-friendly concerts at Orchestra Hall. However, not every entity has thought about or has the resources to help such patrons.

He sponsors HF3631 that would provide $250,000 in each of the next two fiscal years for “grants to state organizations, counties, cities, and private holders of public access space to fund building modifications to provide sensory accessibility of accommodations to increase accessible community involvement and access for individuals who have autism spectrum disorder or a related disability or other nonvisible health issue with sensory impacts.”

It was held over Thursday by the House State Government Finance Division. The bill lacks a Senate companion.

Grantees would be permitted to create sensory friendly spaces, modify public use space to meet sensory friendly design standards, equip a facility with mobile tool kits to support sensory needs, or provide quiet zones or times of service. Disability training would need to be provided to staff to support the modifications made.

Jillian Nelson, community resource and policy advocate with the Autism Society of Minnesota, said many places, including sports facilities, art centers, museums and parks, currently have something available to help patrons with sensory issues.

“I personally find it reprehensible that our state is leading the way in community sensory inclusion, while our public spaces that are vital to civic and community engagement are still inaccessible from a sensory standpoint,” she said. “This bill will create opportunities to create an accessible space in public arenas that are vital to many areas of our life.”

Gullickson said simple changes could even bring in more business.

“If you intend to make something accessible for one particular community, you find out further down the road that it becomes more accessible to additional people that you may not have been thinking about,” Gullickson said.