Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has been designated an “Autism Friendly” Business by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida (USF).
Participation in CARD-USF’s “Autism Friendly” Business Initiative gives Selby Gardens access to technical support and other assistance to help it better serve neurodiverse members of the community. Making the Gardens an inclusive place for all, including those with autism-spectrum disorders, is a priority for Selby Gardens.
“Cultivating a culture and environment where everyone feels welcome at Selby Gardens, regardless of their abilities or other differences, is a pillar of our strategic plan,” said Jennifer O. Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. “This designation tells us we are heading in the right direction with the programming we have introduced. With CARD’s expertise and support moving forward, we can ensure that our entire staff is empowered to make a difference.”
Last fall, Selby Gardens introduced “Tranquil Tuesdays” at its Downtown Sarasota campus. This periodic event offers complimentary, after-hours admission to neurodiverse and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families and caregivers. Guests can experience the Gardens without the usual daytime crowds, noise, and other distractions. Selby Gardens also offers participants customized sensory maps of the campus and free use of noise-canceling earmuffs and wheelchairs. The maps, earmuffs, and wheelchairs are available to all visitors during regular operating hours too.
“Everyone should be able to experience the beauty of Selby Gardens, and this sensory-friendly program broadens accessibility,” said Kristie Geimer, director of clinical therapy at Easterseals, an early partner in the Tranquil Tuesdays offering. “It’s been an honor to participate in Tranquil Tuesdays and to be part of a community that is expanding awareness, acceptance, and opportunities for all individuals.”
Since its creation in 2008, CARD-USF’s “Autism Friendly” Business Initiative has become a model for Florida and other states that want to create welcoming communities. CARD-USF assists businesses like Selby Gardens in optimizing the potential of people with autism-spectrum disorders through customized training, technical assistance, educational materials, and public visibility.
“Selby Gardens already has amazing sensory-friendly programming, including a sensory map and its Tranquil Tuesdays evening experience,” said Liz Burke, CARD Consultant and Autism Friendly Project Lead at USF. “By joining the ‘Autism Friendly’ Business Initiative, they are aligning with other leaders in building community by welcoming people with autism, and potentially growing their own visitor base in the process.”
Children and adults with autism have differences in their verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. These characteristics can make it difficult for an individual on the spectrum to successfully access and navigate the community. Yet, individuals with autism deserve meaningful opportunities to engage in and contribute to community life alongside their neurotypical peers, said Burke. CARD-USF established the “Autism Friendly” Business Initiative to address this need. By implementing best practice recommendations through the “Autism Friendly” program, businesses and organizations can foster a sense of safety, enjoyment, and belonging for guests of all abilities.
More information, including a directory of other “Autism Friendly” businesses in the region, can be found online here: http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu/.