Case Study: Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusion at CB Nuit

Outcomes of Sensory-Friendly Collaboration at a Night Art Festival

CB Nuit, a prominent cultural event in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, Canada worked with Sensory Friendly Solutions to enhance accessibility and sensory inclusion at their event. Moreover, they wanted to become a sensory-friendly art at night leader! Above all, this case study explores the successful strategies and outcomes, to create a more inclusive experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

**all photos credited to Kurtis Walsh Photography**

Project Goals: Sensory-Friendly Art at Night

CB Nuit aimed to make their night art festival a welcoming space for everyone, including those with sensory sensitivities. Furthermore, by prioritizing accessibility and inclusion, the festival sought to provide sensory-friendly art at night that could be enjoyed by all. As a result, these goals guided the development of practical strategies and tools to enhance the festival experience for both exhibitors and visitors.

1. Improve Accessibility: Develop strategies and resources to make CB Nuit more accessible for visitors with sensory sensitivities and disabilities.
2. Foster Inclusion: Provide tools and guidance to exhibitors to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors.
3. Promote Awareness: Equip the festival team with resources to communicate accessibility features effectively.

Delivered Solutions

Delivering Tailored Solutions for Accessibility and Inclusion
To support CB Nuit in creating a more accessible and sensory-friendly experience, Sensory Friendly Solutions provided a range of custom strategies and tools, including training, recorded and live, checklists, reports and virtual review sessions. Critically, these solutions supported key areas such as website accessibility, exhibitor preparation, sensory accommodations, and staff engagement. Furthermore, each initiative was designed to enhance inclusivity and ensure that all visitors, including those with sensory sensitivities, could fully enjoy the festival.

1. Comprehensive Website Accessibility Review

Sensory Friendly Solutions assessed CB Nuit’s website for usability and accessibility. For example, recommendations included:

• Improving navigation for individuals with visual and motor impairments.
• Ensuring compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• Adding clear, detailed descriptions of sensory-friendly features​.

2. Informational Guide for Exhibitors

In addition, a detailed guide was provided, including:

• The eight senses and how sensory differences affect individuals.
• Practical steps exhibitors could take to create sensory-friendly exhibits.
• The importance of explaining sensory elements in their art installations​.

3. Recommendations for a Low-Sensory Room

Furthermore, suggestions for creating a calming retreat during the festival included:

• Adjusted lighting and sound-dampening materials.
• Various seating options to cater to diverse needs.
• Availability of sensory tools like weighted blankets and fidget toys​

4. Sensory-Experience Walk of Installations

As well, recommendations for creating an inclusive sensory experience included:

• Segmented zones focusing on different senses.
• Sensory break areas along the walk.
• Clear signage and advanced warnings for intense sensory input​

5. Tips for the Q&A Session

Also, guidance was provided to help CB Nuit’s team address questions about accessibility and inclusivity. Key strategies included:

• Emphasizing collaboration for sensory-friendly initiatives.
• Offering low-cost, practical solutions for exhibitors.
• Collecting attendee feedback to inform future improvements​

Outcomes: Advancing Sensory-Friendly Art at Night

The collaboration between CB Nuit and Sensory Friendly Solutions resulted in meaningful improvements, making the festival more inclusive for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Additionally, by adding accessibility strategies, CB Nuit successfully created a space where sensory-friendly art at night could be enjoyed by all.

1. Increased Awareness:
   Exhibitors gained a better understanding of sensory-friendly practices, allowing them to create more inclusive installations.
2. Improved Attendee Experience:
   Attendees reported feeling more comfortable and supported due to the availability of a low-sensory room and clear communication about sensory elements.
3. Actionable Feedback:
   Feedback from the event provided insights into areas for improvement, such as additional sensory-friendly features and improving promotion.

It was a true pleasure to work with you. It was more than your expertise, it was your sense of humour and energy which supported our team in the best possible way to take some steps towards more accessibility. Much gratitude your way!!! The festival, including our low sensory room, the website and the care given to make our projects accessible was a big success. We took bigger steps that we had imagined possible.

Louise Gauthier Executive Director, CB Nuit

Lessons Learned: Building on Success for Future Accessibility

Reflecting on the collaboration with CB Nuit, several key takeaways emerged that can guide future efforts in creating sensory-friendly art at night. These lessons highlight the importance of planning, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Moreover, they emphasize how small adjustments can make a significant impact on accessibility and inclusion. Through these insights, CB Nuit is better able to enhance the experience in future.

1. Proactive Planning:
   Addressing sensory accessibility requires early and good planning to integrate solutions easily into the event.
2. Collaboration is Key:
   Engaging exhibitors and the festival team in accessibility training fosters a collective commitment to inclusion.
3. Continual Improvement:
   Gathering feedback and measuring the impact of sensory-friendly features is crucial for long-term success.

Conclusion

As an example, the partnership between CB Nuit and Sensory Friendly Solutions demonstrates the value of thoughtful planning and collaboration in creating inclusive cultural events. Furthermore, by implementing the strategies and fostering awareness, CB Nuit set a new standard for sensory-friendly festivals. Finally, this case study serves as an example for other organizations striving to embrace accessibility and inclusion.

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Christel Seeberger( Founder & CEO, Sensory Friendly Solutions (she/her) )

Christel Seeberger, BSc. O.T., is a regulated health care professional with over 30 years of experience in sensory disorders, disabilities and adapting environments. As someone with a hearing disability, Christel brings her personal lived experience with an invisible disability, sensory sensitivity and sensory overload to her work. In 2016, she founded Sensory Friendly Solutions to create a more sensory-friendly, accessible, and inclusive world through training,  certification, product licensing, and product recognition. Christel’s expertise has been featured in guest blogs, as a radio and podcast guest, and in interviews with numerous media outlets, including CBC, CTV, Global News, AMI, Yahoo Life, the Globe and Mail, and local Fox TV/News.