According to CDC Data from 2020, 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over 6 million children have ADHD. There is more representation of neurodivergence in literature and television than ever before. The more compassion and understanding exists around neurodiversity and disability, the more representation increases.
We can see the effect of this positive feedback loop in our own Woodstock community.
Woodstock Art's latest exhibition, Please Touch The Art, is a collection of sensory-friendly art installations. Various textures, colors, and patterns adorn this collection. Even a piece that seems symmetric has tiny fluctuations in the material, making for an excellent touch experience.
Please Touch the Art is a pinnacle of accessibility. For the neurodivergent art enthusiast, the gallery is usually relatively quiet. There are no strong or overwhelming smells. The gallery is at the Reeves Visual Arts Center, a family-friendly creative outlet for the community. There is a small café, and tables and chairs are well-spread in case one needs to rest and recharge. Another plus is that the house is easy to navigate, and it's almost impossible to get lost.
For people with visual disabilities, the various textures offer a one-of-a-kind experience. One of the installations is several pieces by North Carolina artist Kenn Kotara, who uses Braille to explore the relationship between the grid of a canvas and language forms.
Woodstock Arts held a class called Bedazzled Braille as part of their Kids Corner series. This class was about educating kids on the history of Braille and how people with visual differences use this language. The participants used a flyer that showed the alphabet in Braille and learned to spell out their names in the language by gluing rhinestones to construction paper. The kids rushed to show their parents what they'd worked on.
Most non-disabled adults aren't aware of how to spell their name in an alternative language such as Braille. The kids who attended this event learned an invaluable skill in accessibility. They made a connection with the language and lives of people who exist differently from them.
It's never too early to teach kids about accessibility and inclusive spaces.
You can visit Woodstock Art's latest collections at Reeves Visual Arts Center and check out more events at woodstockarts.org.
