Inclusion

Summer: Actually Having Fun

Summer vacation is a time we look forward to.  The time when people can disengage from work and school.   A time to possibly travel and relax.  Autistics, like other folx, like to have that break too.  There is a slight problem with that: sensory overload. 

 

A lot of summer activities are high energy, loud, and crowded.  Let’s examine an amusement park.  Let’s say we’re going to Six Flags.  Of course you are not alone at Six Flags.  You most likely have friends and/or family with you. 

 

You have to enter the park.  That means you need to get in line with a ton of people.  There is no organization.  It’s pure chaos!  Then you must fit through a narrow confining space, which means you must coordinate your body.  And you must interact with staff to give them your ticket.   

 

You are now inside Six Flags.  All around you there are people.  People moving in groups, waiting in lines, playing games, eating, laughing, and crying.  You can smell food.  Maybe something you like.  Maybe something you dislike.  You can smell body odor EVERYWHERE!  You smell chlorine and dampness.  Amusement parks are loud.  There is no way around it.  The sounds of games, a roller coaster clattering, music playing over loudspeakers… You get it.  People bump into you.  You step in puddles.  You are either too hot or too cold.  You get food.  The popcorn has a lot of salt, maybe too much.  The hot dog is filling, but greasy.  After drinking a ton of soda, you can feel the corn syrup coating your tongue. 

 

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a nightmare to me! Yeah, you can have fun, but the amusement park drains you for at least three days.  Well, for me at least.  There are tons of other examples:  fairs, parks, tours, music halls, zoos… So, how can you have fun?  Well, there is some good news!  Columbus, OH does have some sensory friendly places and activities. 

 

COSI hands out free sensory bags to anyone who requests them.  They also have a quiet room for decompression.  They have periodic low sensory hours.  Those are usually announced in their newsletter or on their website.  Staff are responsive to customer needs and promptly provide information or resources.  

 For more information on COSI and accommodations go to:      https://cosi.org/visit/amenities-and-accessibility 

https://cosi.org/ 

 

Another place that provides excellent accommodations and sensory friendly environments is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have constant activities and programs, and of course amazing animals.  Quiet hours are offered periodically.  They will be announced on the website or in their newsletter. Like COSI, they also have free sensory bags that you can use.  The coolest accommodation they provide are sensory maps.  These maps allow for you to plan where to go based on your sensory needs.   

 

For more information go to:  https://www.columbuszoo.org/accessibility  or 

https://www.columbuszoo.org/ 

 

Summer blockbusters… I don’t know about you, but I love the movies!  However, it is not fully enjoyable for some people.  Theaters get crowded and loud.  Food and bathrooms smell.  The theater is either too hot or too cold.  So, what can you do?  My favorite movie theater is the Crosswoods Marcus Cinema.  It is always clean.  It has great staff.  It also tends to be quieter, even when there is a major premiere.  The Crosswoods Marcus Cinema is known for its accessibility among certain populations.  They will have sensory friendly screenings for the public. They are announced in their newsletter or on their website.  You can also get a private screening or reserve the entire theater during off hours.  I have been at Crosswoods Marcus Cinema at a reserved theater and screening.  It was one of the most relaxing movie experiences I have ever had. 

 

For more information go to:  https://www.marcustheatres.com/marcus-specials/sensory-specific-films 

https://www.marcustheatres.com/amenities/theatre-technology/reel-movies-for-real-needs 

https://www.marcustheatres.com/amenities/theatre-technology/accessibility-devices 

https://www.marcustheatres.com/ 

 

 

Diversifying the NCBC Library

To celebrate the Next Chapter Book Club’s 20th anniversary last year, we added over 70 new titles to the lending library housed at Nisonger Center. This infusion of new books has been a hit with long-time NCBC members who were ready for more options. With mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, adapted classics, historical fiction, and easy readers, our lending library offers something for everyone. And as NCBC Founder Tom Fish is fond of saying, “We take all comers!”

In particular, we wanted to include more books with diverse characters in our library. Focus groups have told us they want to read about characters they can relate to, characters with disabilities, characters going through real life. With this in mind, we sought books that are not only fun to read but include main characters from a variety of backgrounds.

In A Girl Like Her, an Autistic woman who would rather be alone decides to explore romance with her neighbor, an ex-military man. In Kira, Kira, a Japanese girl deals with her sister’s illness and finds a way to keep her family together. In Forged by Fire, an African American teenager protects his sister, stands up to an abusive stepfather, and finds belonging. In Something’s Brewing, six book club members with disabilities overcome heartbreak, face disappointments, renew friendships and celebrate victories.  And this is just a sample!

But why do we read about diverse characters? We do this to learn about and connect with people who are different from us. Reading about people from different backgrounds can help us develop empathy and understanding. When we read about characters from similar backgrounds, we can explore and affirm our own identities. Reading books with diverse characters reminds us of the importance of each person in our community and promotes an inclusive environment. The importance of this can’t be overstated, as NCBC seeks to be a safe, supportive, and fun place for all people.

If you would like to join a Next Chapter Book Club in the Columbus, OH area, click HERE to submit the registration form.

If you would like to volunteer to co-facilitate a Next Chapter Book Club, click HERE to submit the application.