Six boys sitting and smiling together on a subway car.

Access for All Symposium

Are you interested in learning more about cultural programs and leisure experiences for neurodiverse individuals?

On September 16th, the New York Transit Museum, home to nationally-recognized access programs, is hosting a day of conversation with professionals serving the neurodiverse population. As they discuss and reflect on their experiences, be inspired to develop new ideas that you can implement in your own work. The Symposium will feature presentations and discussions on the topics of inclusive experiences, performing arts, and supportive technology.

Who Should Attend?

  • Individuals from community centers, schools, museums, arts organizations, recreation programs, literacy programs, places of worship, youth development programs, camps, or other similar organizations.
  • Students focused on education, museum studies, or related fields.
  • Care partners, parents, grandparents, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about engaging neurodiverse individuals.

Event Details

Monday, September 16, 2019, 9:00am – 5:00pm
New York Transit Museum, Downtown Brooklyn

9:00am – 9:30am: Light breakfast provided
9:30am – 4:30pm: Symposium, with 1-hour lunch break
4:15pm-5:00pm: Reception

REGISTER

$85 / $60 for students and individuals with disabilities

* Limited scholarships available. For scholarship information, please send a statement of need and the desired scholarship amount to [email protected].

Sessions

Keynote Address delivered by Kirsten Lindsmith

Kirsten Lindsmith is an artist, writer, software developer, and autism advocate. After receiving an ASD diagnosis at the age of 19, she began co-hosting the online television show Autism Talk TV, and speaking about her experience as a woman on the spectrum. Kirsten has written columns for Wrong Planet and Autism After 16, and was profiled in The New York Times. She is a member of the board of advisors for the Yale Child Study Center’s Initiative for Girls and Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She currently works as a full-time software engineer and part-time autism consultant, and maintains a blog at kirstenlindsmith.wordpress.com.

Supporting Inclusive Experiences

A diverse group of organizations and venues will come together and present on how they create and support inclusive experiences for neurodiverse children, students, and adults. Learn about these opportunities from Michael Clark, Barclays Center; Carrie Banks, Brooklyn Public Library; Kirsten McNally, Children’s Museum of the Arts; and Mary Liz McNamara, NYU Connections.

A Word from the Museum, Arts & Culture Consortium (MAC) and the Supporting Transitions Project

MAC drives to advance accessibility at New York City’s cultural institutions for people with all abilities. Their Supporting Transitions project seeks to increase opportunities at cultural organizations for adults on the autism spectrum. MAC’s goals for the project are to increase cultural opportunities for adults with autism by sharing best practices, assisting new cultural programs for adults on the autism spectrum, and supporting the hiring of adults with autism as employees, interns, and volunteers.

Access to Performing Arts

This panel will discuss how neurodiverse individuals can access performing arts both on and off the stage. Join in the conversation about relaxed performances, acting companies, and costumed storytelling. Presenters include Katie Sweeney, CO/LAB Theater Group; Aubrie Therrien and actor, EPIC Players; Cassie Wood-Triplett, New York Transit Museum; and Olivia Jones, Roundabout Theatre Company.

Supportive Technology

This look at how technology can enhance cultural experiences for neurodiverse visitors will feature topics of mobile apps, communication supports, and virtual reality. Explore how these resources are used in the work of Beth Ann Balalaos, Long Island Children’s Museum; Sara Thomson, New York Transit Museum; and Rita Solórzano, Floreo VR for Autism.

Accessibility

For information on wheelchair access or other accessibility matters please visit the accessibility page.

Requests for American Sign Language interpreters or Assistive Listening Devices must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Please email us.

CART will be provided.