In 2023, the Office for People with Disabilities (OPD) partnered with KultureCity, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with non-apparent disabilities. This partnership, which launched the first ever Sensory Inclusive project for all city departments, resulted in Philadelphia becoming the 1st Sensory Inclusive City in the country.

According to KultureCity, sensory inclusion is the proactive process of creating environments and experiences that are welcoming and accessible for everyone, regardless of their sensory needs. This goes beyond just sensory-friendly environments, which may remove or reduce certain stimuli, to include tools and modifications that help individuals cope with potential sensory overstimulation.

Why is Sensory Inclusive™ important?

  • It caters to everyone with sensory needs not just autism. This includes military vets with PTSD, adults with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke patients just to name a few.
  • It is also easy to execute with staff training, and simple yet impactful modifications made to the location. The location will then always be Sensory Inclusive™.
  • Sensory Inclusive™ ensures daily accessibility not limited by time and location thus creating an accepting and inclusive community.

In 2024, Khalia Jackson, Constituent Services Administrator of the Office for People with Disabilities, led the training program. The goal was to continue the support and awareness of sensory inclusion needs among the community and ensure that the City of Philadelphia remained a certified inclusive city.

With the generous donations from the Eagles Autism Foundation and with KultureCity’s support, over 13,000 (and growing) City employees across multiple departments have successfully completed the training. As a result, for the second year in a row, KultureCity has certified the City of Philadelphia as a Sensory Inclusive™ city!

As of today, OPD has relaunched the sensory inclusion lending program. City departments can now borrow sensory bags and mobile machines for department members, visitors and for community events.  The hard work and dedication of our City’ workforce illustrates our continued commitment to create an inclusive city for all visitors, residents, and staff members.

Learn more about the Sensory Inclusive Certification!