Religious, Seasonal and Holidays

From St. Patrick’s Day to Christmas, Pride to Independence Day, We’ve Got Your Parade Covered Parades are vibrant, community-building events that bring joy to people of all ages. However, for individuals with sensory sensitivities, the sensory-rich environment of a parade can be overwhelming. This blog post explores the concept of sensory-friendly parades, offering practical guidance

A Guide to More Inclusive Worship  For many Jewish community members, attending a synagogue is a deeply meaningful experience that fosters connection, spiritual growth, and belonging. However, for individuals with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing challenges, the sensory-rich environment of a synagogue can feel overwhelming. By making small changes to create a sensory-friendly synagogue, communities

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night is a celebration that occurs in the United Kingdom in November. This celebration is associated with costumes, fireworks and bonfires. As well as large crowds of people. For many people, this is an exciting and sensory-rich celebration. However, this celebration may also be stressful and overwhelming for people who

Tips for Parents & Communities Hosting Fourth of July Events The Fourth of July evokes images of dazzling fireworks displays, vibrant parades, and bustling BBQs. But for those with sensory sensitivities, these celebrations can quickly turn from festive to overwhelming. In particular, the cacophony of sounds, bursts of light, and energetic crowds can trigger anxiety,

Tips for Parents and Community Organizers Organizers Canada Day is a vibrant celebration filled with fireworks, parades, BBQs, and community gatherings. But for almost a third of Canadians aged 15 and over, or 8.0 million people, they have at least one disability, and Canada Day celebrations come with barriers to their participation and inclusion. In

Embracing Inclusion in Traditional Hindu Festivities Celebrating festivals is a time for joy, connection, and honoring traditions, but for those with sensory sensitivities, these events can be overwhelming. This blog, informed by the expertise and recommendations of Myurika Sithamparanathan, an Honours Bachelor of Science graduate from the University of Toronto and Master of Health Informatics

Creating Sensory-Friendly Hindu Temples and Weddings For many Hindus, visiting the temple is an integral part of spiritual and community life. Temples are sacred spaces for worship, reflection, and connection. However, the sensory-rich environment of temples, with bright lights, loud music, and large crowds, can be overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing

Making Tradition Accessible for All Regional Hindu Festivals like Onam and Tamil New Year bring communities together to honor tradition, celebrate cultural values, and embrace shared experiences. However, for individuals with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing disorders, these vibrant and often overwhelming celebrations can pose challenges. This blog, inspired and guided by the expertise of

Practical Tips for More Inclusive Muslim Celebrations Imagine stepping into a bustling mosque during Ramadan. The hum of voices fills the air, lights are bright, and the community spirit is palpable. For many, this is a heartwarming experience. But for individuals with sensory sensitivities—like autistic children and adults, people who are neurodivergent, adults with PTSD,

Fostering Inclusion Through Thoughtful Design This blog provides actionable tips for making mosques and prayers sensory-friendly, with insights, experience, and recommendations from Uneeba Chutani, who, at the time of these articles, was an occupational therapy student at the University of Toronto and is now a practicing occupational therapist. Mosques are central places of worship, reflection,