Sensory Inclusive Resources

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is Certified by KultureCity® as a Sensory Inclusive Organization!

Sensory Inclusion at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is proud to be certified as a ‘Sensory Inclusive’ organization by KultureCity, a leading nonprofit dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities. This partnership helps make all of the programs and events hosted by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana sensory inclusive.

For this certification process, the staff at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals. These trainings focused on recognizing those guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. At Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, we recognize that 1 in 4 people have a sensory processing need and our goal is to provide an inclusive environment for all Girl Scouts and their families at our events. We are proud to be one of over 1800 locations across the USA and the world to become certified as a Sensory Inclusive organization.

About GSGCNWI's Sensory Inclusive Certification

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has partnered with KultureCity® to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate Girl Scouts, Volunteers, and guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all during all events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has partnered with KultureCity® to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all guests during events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

Visit Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana's KultureCity Website for more information.

Sensory Bags

KultureCity® Sensory bags containing special VIP badges, feeling thermometer, a variety of fidget tools, strobe cancelling glasses, and noise-canceling headphones are available for checkout to use during GSGCNWI hosted events. Ask the event check in table where to locate these bags. Sensory bags can be used for all abilities of all ages.

Quiet Areas

If I get overwhelmed and need to take a break, I can visit the Quiet or wellness area. I can ask a friendly staff member to assist me with locating this area. This is a place to recharge and calm myself. I can then join in the fun when I’m ready!

If you are interested learning more about our KultureCity® certification or have other related questions please email everygirl@girlscoutsgcnwi.org for more information or use the accommodation request form here.

Sensory Inclusive™ Initiative FAQ

What is the KultureCity® Sensory InclusiveTM Initiative? toggle arrow

The Sensory InclusiveTM initiative is designed for businesses and organizations to best prepare for clients or guests that might have sensory needs/sensory processing challenge. This includes arenas, airports, zoos, medical facilities, events, government services, restaurants, libraries or first responders to name a few. The goal is to impact any area someone with sensory needs may want or need to connect with others

What is a sensory need or sensory processing challenge? toggle arrow

A sensory need or sensory processing challenge is one where an individual is affected by noises, smells, lights and even crowds differently then others. The interaction with their environment can not only be overwhelming from the sensory perspective but also sometimes physically painful. Because of this, these guests often find themselves isolated from the community.

What is the difference between being Sensory InclusiveTM and sensory friendly? toggle arrow

Sensory friendly is where the location has removed many of the overwhelming stimuli for a set period of time. Because this isn’t possible to do regularly due to branding or the style of event itself, access is limited to the day, a few hours, or an event location.

There is often no training provided, no additional supports, generally marketed at the autistic community which alienates others with sensory needs and having set times often makes it hard for those with sensory needs to attend as they are regularly set on weekdays during work hours.

Being Sensory InclusiveTM changes that. It creates daily accessibility with training, tools, and other modifications that do not remove the overwhelming stimuli, they help the guest cope with this potential sensory over stimulation or under stimulation better, ensuring an accepting and inclusive experience for all.

What are some groups that are affected by sensory need/sensory processing issues? toggle arrow

These could be guests with PTSD, autism, early onset dementia, anxiety, stroke patients just to name a few.

How does partnering with KultureCity® help? toggle arrow

KultureCity® helps by providing the necessary training to better support guests with these needs. They also provide signage, weighted lap pads, sensory bags that contain noise-canceling headphones, fidgets tools and much more to truly create a welcoming experience for these guest.

What is the result of this initiative? toggle arrow

It helps all guests feel welcome and included in our society. It also helps us reach a huge portion of our community that has long been isolated.

How many people have a disability in the USA? toggle arrow

1 in 4. With 16% having visible disabilities and the remanding 84% with invisible disabilities like PTSD, autism, dementia, strokes etc. The common denominator for these groups are sensory issues.

What is the average age of someone with a sensory need? toggle arrow

A sensory need is something that someone can be born with or can acquire through an injury; we assist those from the ages of 0-99+.