Understanding Inclusive Practices: Why Being Sensory Friendly is Essential

Introduction to Inclusive Practices and Sensory-Friendly Environments

The term “inclusive” has gained prominence in discussions about diversity, equity, and accessibility. Yet, being truly inclusive requires more than just ticking off a checklist. An essential, yet often overlooked, aspect of creating inclusive environments is ensuring they are sensory-friendly. Sensory-friendly practices are critical to making spaces welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of their sensory needs. Furthermore, being sensory-friendly should encompass all aspects of accessibility, ensuring that environments are comfortable and accessible for people of all abilities.

Key Terms: Inclusive, Inclusivity, Inclusiveness and Inclusion Definitions

Before diving deeper into the importance of being sensory-friendly, it’s important to understand the differences between inclusion, inclusivity, and inclusive:

Term	Definition	Example
Inclusion	The act of including people from all backgrounds and abilities in activities, spaces, and services.	A school ensuring all students, including those with disabilities, participate in every activity.
Inclusivity	The quality of including a wide range of people in something, such as an organization or activity.	A company that hires a diverse workforce and promotes equal opportunities for all employees.
Inclusiveness	The extent to which an environment, policy, or practice is designed to include and accommodate everyone.	A workplace that provides flexible working hours and environments to support employees with diverse needs.
Inclusive	Creating environments, practices, or policies that accommodate and welcome all individuals.	A restaurant offering menus in Braille and providing quiet dining areas for those with sensory sensitivities.

These definitions highlight the subtle differences but significant importance of each term in creating environments where everyone feels valued and comfortable.

What Does it Mean to be Sensory-Friendly?

To be inclusive, a space should also be sensory-friendly, meaning it accommodates the needs of individuals with sensory sensitivities, sensory overload, or sensory processing disorders. These conditions can make everyday environments overwhelming or even intolerable for some people, making it crucial for inclusive environments to address these needs. Because all of our senses shape how we interact with the world, we need to consider every aspect of accessibility to ensure that inclusive spaces truly meet the needs of all individuals and all disabled persons. Learn more in our blogs:

• Understanding Sensory Disorders and Differences
• Demystifying Sensory Sensitivity and Overload for Business

The Eight Senses You Might Not Know About

While most of us are familiar with the five basic senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—there are actually at least eight senses that contribute to how we interact with the world:

1. Vision (Sight)
2. Auditory (Sound)
3. Olfactory (Smell)
4. Gustatory (Taste)
5. Tactile (Touch)
6. Vestibular (Balance and Head Movement)
7. Proprioception (Body Awareness and Movment)
8. Interoception (Internal Sensations like hunger and thirst)

Understanding these senses is essential for creating inclusive, sensory-friendly environments that are truly accessible to everyone. Want to diver deeper? Read our blog: You Have Eight Senses Not Five

Why Sensory-Friendly is Essential to Being Inclusive

The Connection Between Sensory Sensitivity and Inclusiveness

Being inclusive means recognizing and accommodating the diverse needs of all individuals. This includes creating spaces that are comfortable for people who experience sensory sensitivity, sensory overload, or sensory processing issues. For example, individuals with conditions, diagnoses or differences such as:

• Autism
• PTSD
• Post-concussion syndrome
• Hearing loss
• Dementia
• Developmental disabilities
• Long COVID
• Low vision
• Sensory processing disorders
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neurodivergence

These can all result in heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, making typical environments challenging to navigate. By addressing these needs, businesses and organizations can become more inclusive.

Sensory Sensitivity Across the Lifespan

Sensory sensitivity is not limited to any specific age group. It can affect children, adults, and older people, and can be either temporary or permanent. For example, someone recovering from a concussion might temporarily experience sensory overload, while a person with dementia might permanently be sensitive to certain types of sensory input. Being sensory-friendly is a vital aspect of creating inclusive environments that cater to everyone’s needs.

Sensory Sensitivity, Sensory Overload, and Neurodiversity

Defining Key Terms

• Sensory Sensitivity: A heightened response to sensory stimuli, such as bright lights or loud sounds.
• Sensory Overload: A state where the brain receives more sensory input than it can process, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Sensory Processing: The way the brain interprets and organizes sensory information from the environment.
• Sensory Processing Disorders: Conditions that affect how the brain processes sensory information, often leading to challenges in everyday functioning.
• Sensory Differences: Variations in how individuals perceive and respond to sensory stimuli.
• Neurodiversity: The concept that neurological differences, such as autism, are natural variations of the human brain.
• Neurodivergence: A term used to describe individuals whose neurological development and functioning are different from the neurotypical, including those with autism, ADHD, and other conditions.

How Sensory-Friendly Environments Support Neurodiversity and Inclusiveness

Supporting neurodiversity is a crucial aspect of being inclusive. By creating sensory-friendly environments, we ensure that people who are neurodivergent feel welcomed and comfortable. This approach not only benefits those with sensory processing disorders but also anyone who might experience sensory sensitivity or overload.

Want to start your inclusive journey? Take our Sensory Friendly 101 course as part of low cost All Access Training:

The Benefits of Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Spaces for Businesses and Organizations

Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty

Creating inclusive, sensory-friendly spaces is not just an act of kindness; it’s also good business. Research estimates that about 5% to 16.5% of people experience sensory processing challenges. Moreover, the numbers are even higher for those with autism or ADHD. Importantly, sensory processing is a normal part of development and helps us make sense of the world around us. Furthermore, it affects how we respond to different sensory experiences, and helps us manage our emotions. Businesses that prioritize being sensory-friendly can attract and retain customers who might otherwise avoid their services or products.

Boosting Employee Well-Being and Productivity

An inclusive workplace is also a more productive one. Employees who feel comfortable and supported in their work environment are more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied with their jobs. A sensory-friendly workplace accommodates the needs of neurodivergent employees and those with conditions like PTSD, hearing loss, or migraines, contributing to an inclusive culture.

Tips for Creating Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Spaces

Here are some actionable tips to make your business or organization more inclusive by being sensory-friendly:

• Reduce Noise Levels: Implement sound-absorbing materials and create quiet zones or quiet times.
• Adjust Lighting: Offer adjustable lighting options and reduce harsh fluorescent lighting.
• Provide Sensory Breaks: Designate areas where people can take a break from sensory input.
• Offer Sensory-Friendly Products: Include items that cater to sensory needs, such as noise-canceling headphones.
• Educate Staff: Train employees on sensory sensitivity and disabilities and how to assist customers who may need accommodations.

Table: Features of Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly vs. Non-Inclusive Environments

Feature	Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Environment	Non-Inclusive Environment
Noise Levels	Quiet zones, sound-absorbing materials	Loud, echoing spaces
Lighting	Adjustable, soft lighting	Harsh, fluorescent lights
Sensory Breaks	Designated quiet areas	No place to escape sensory overload
Product Offering	Sensory-friendly products available	Standard products with no sensory focus
Staff Training	Educated on sensory needs and accommodations	Untrained staff

The Link Between Sensory-Friendly Environments, Inclusiveness, and Accessibility

Inclusiveness: Going Beyond the Basics

When we talk about being inclusive, we must think beyond the traditional categories of race, gender, and physical disabilities. We believe true inclusiveness also involves accommodating sensory needs. Sensory-friendly environments ensure that everyone, regardless of their sensory processing abilities, can fully participate in the community.

Accessibility: Expanding the Definition

Accessibility isn’t just about physical barriers like stairs or narrow doorways. Although removing those barriers are critical, too! It also includes making environments comfortable for those with sensory processing issues. Being sensory-friendly is a key part of creating spaces that are both accessible and inclusive.

Benefits of Sensory-Friendly Practices for Inclusiveness and Accessibility

• Increased Participation: Sensory-friendly environments encourage participation from a wider audience, including those with hidden disabilities.
• Enhanced Inclusiveness: By addressing sensory needs, organizations can become truly inclusive, not just in name but in practice.
• Better Compliance: Sensory-friendly practices can help organizations comply with legal requirements for accessibility and accommodation.

A Story: The Impact of Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Practices

Maria, a mother of two, knows firsthand the challenges of shopping with her son, who is autistic. Bright lights, loud noises, and crowded aisles make it almost impossible for them to have a positive shopping experience. That was until she discovered a grocery store that offers sensory-friendly shopping hours. During these hours, the lights are dimmed, the music is turned off, and the aisles are less crowded. For the first time, Maria and her son can shop together without stress or anxiety.

This change has transformed their shopping experience and built brand loyalty for the store. Maria now only shops there and has recommended it to other parents in her community. The store’s commitment to being sensory-friendly has made it a go-to destination for families with similar needs, proving that inclusiveness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s good business.

Creating inclusive, sensory-friendly, and accessible environments is essential for ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities or sensory needs, can fully participate and thrive. These spaces promote comfort, reduce barriers, and foster a sense of belonging for individuals with diverse sensory experiences. By prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, and sensory awareness in all environments—whether at work, school, or public spaces—we all must take important steps toward building a more equitable and supportive world for everyone.

FAQs: Inclusive and Sensory-Friendly Spaces

What is an inclusive environment? An inclusive environment is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of all individuals, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities or conditions, can fully participate and feel comfortable. Understand more from our blog: What Is a Sensory-Friendly Environment?

How does being sensory-friendly relate to inclusiveness? Being sensory-friendly is a critical component of inclusiveness. It ensures that spaces are welcoming and accessible to people with sensory processing issues, aligning with broader goals of inclusion.

Can sensory sensitivity be temporary?
Yes, sensory sensitivity can be temporary or permanent and can affect individuals at any age, from children to older adults. For example, someone recovering from a traumatic brain injury might experience temporary sensory overload, while a person with dementia might have a permanent sensitivity to noise or bright lights. Read more about sensory sensitivity in our blog: Who Has Sensory Sensitivity?

What are some conditions that might benefit from inclusive, sensory-friendly environments?
Conditions or differences that could benefit include autism, PTSD, post-concussion syndrome, hearing loss, dementia, developmental disabilities, long COVID, low vision, sensory processing disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. By accommodating these differences, inclusive environments ensure that everyone can participate fully.

How can businesses benefit from inclusive, sensory-friendly practices?
Businesses can improve customer satisfaction, build brand loyalty, and enhance employee well-being by creating inclusive, sensory-friendly environments. These practices can lead to higher customer retention, a more diverse and productive workforce, and compliance with accessibility regulations. Find our more in our blog: The ROI of Diversity and Inclusion Training Costs

Sensory Friendly Solutions: Your Partner in Creating Inclusive Spaces

At Sensory Friendly Solutions, we believe that being inclusive means more than just meeting basic accessibility standards. It involves recognizing and accommodating the sensory needs of everyone. We offer a range of services to help businesses and organizations create inclusive, sensory-friendly environments, from training and consulting to certification and product recognition.

Get Our All Access Training Today

For one low cost, you can access our online, on-demand All Access Training, which includes all the courses you need to create inclusive, sensory-friendly events, environments, or experiences. Our easy-to-understand courses are designed to help you make a real difference in your community. Watch this short video from our founder to learn more about the benefits of our being trained!

Stay Updated: Read Our Latest Blog Posts

Don’t miss out on the latest insights and tips! Read our newest blog posts to stay informed about how you can create more inclusive and sensory-friendly environments.

Conclusion: Embracing Sensory-Friendly Practices for True Inclusiveness

Being inclusive is not just about adhering to a set of guidelines; it’s about creating environments where everyone feels valued, comfortable, and able to participate fully. Sensory-friendly practices are a vital part of this effort, ensuring that individuals with sensory sensitivities, sensory processing disorders, and other related conditions can engage with the world around them without unnecessary stress or discomfort.

Whether you’re a business owner, educator, or community leader, embracing sensory-friendly practices will benefit not just those with sensory needs but everyone who interacts with your space. It enhances customer satisfaction, boosts employee well-being, and contributes to a more inclusive society overall.

Let’s work together to create a world where everyone can thrive.