Sloss Fest Becomes Sensory Inclusive

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/07/Untitled_design_54.png
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1080;s:4:"file";s:30:"2018/07/Untitled_design_54.png";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-336x189.png";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-771x434.png";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-140x140.png";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-768x432.png";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"Untitled_design_54-1536x864.png";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:864;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"Untitled_design_54-80x80.png";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-600x338.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-600x600.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-553x311.png";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-470x265.png";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-600x400.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-600x600.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"Untitled_design_54-125x125.png";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Janae Pierre
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1635888681 
1531491028

An outdoor music festival sounds like a great time for some people, but for someone with autism it can be a nightmare. Sloss Fest happens this weekend, and organizers say it’s the first music festival in the U.S. to be designated “sensory inclusive.”

Thousands of music fans will flock to Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham this weekend to catch performances from some of their favorite artists at Sloss Fest. But the noise and the crowds and lights can be a nightmare for someone with autism.  Festival organizers hope to make it easier this year. They say Sloss Fest will be the first music festival in the U.S. to be designated “sensory inclusive.”

You might wonder why people who struggle with loud sounds or bright flashing lights would want to attend a crowded music festival in the first place. Michele Kong, co-founder of Kulture City, an organization focused on creating sensory-inclusive environments, says “Why wouldn’t they though?” People who have visual or noise sensitivities still might enjoy music, she says. “It doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy basketball. You still love all those things but it’s just that you cannot go because the environment is not set up for you to go.”

Jay Wilson with Red Mountain Productions, which is producing the event, says it isn’t always easy to tell when someone with autism needs help. But there are a few signs. For instance, they might fidget more or act differently.

Festival staffers, including security guards and volunteers, have completed special training led by medical professionals and staff from Kulture City. Kong says they’ll use other resources like sensory bags, which include noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and other items to help those individuals calm down.

Organizers will also set up a sensory room for those who become overstimulated during the festival. People who are sensitive to noise will be able to take a break, calm down and head back out to enjoy the music. That’s exciting for Karen Willis, of Montgomery. She has autism and has been fighting for inclusion most of her life. “I was very excited and very happy because most people with autism aren’t able to experience these community events like the Sloss Fest” Willis says. She says now that it’s sensory-friendly, more people with autism and other disabilities can enjoy events similar to Sloss Fest. Even so, Willis hesitates when asked whether she plans to attend the festival this weekend. “It’s a wait and see,” she says.  She loves that she has the option, but says maybe she’ll go next year.

 

Trump and Harris make last-minute stops in North Carolina

Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump are making stops in North Carolina — a state that has been red since 2008 — as the campaigns race toward Election Day.

Citing the pandemic, TGI Fridays files for bankruptcy

The casual dining chain, which saw dozens of its U.S. restaurants close this year, said its financial woes stem from the coronavirus pandemic.

Satellite images show the devastation from Spain’s deadly floods

The images show a devastating transformation of eastern Spain, where at least 205 people have been killed by flash floods.

U.K. Conservatives pick Kemi Badenoch as their party’s new leader

The party elected Kemi Badenoch as its new leader as it tries to rebound from a crushing defeat that ended 14 years in power. She is the first Black woman to lead a major British political party.

Chef Edward Lee reflects on ‘Culinary Class Wars’, identity and his next chapter

After three decades in Southern cuisine, Lee's next culinary chapter explores Korean American cooking, moving beyond traditional recipes and fusion concepts.

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, U.S. with ‘crushing response’ to Israeli attack

Iran's supreme leader threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies. The Pentagon said Friday that more U.S. forces would be coming to the region.

More Arts and Culture Coverage