Shedd Aquarium Achieves Prestigious KultureCity Certification, Furthering Commitment to Inclusivity

CHICAGO – Shedd Aquarium has been recognized for its efforts to make its experience more accessible and inclusive to guests with sensory needs. Shedd has received certification through the KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive program, a well-recognized endorsement for venues and organizations that are considered sensory inclusive. The milestone is part of a larger commitment by the aquarium to ensuring Shedd is accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all guests.

Through its partnership with KultureCity®, Shedd has been provided with resources that staff can use that allow them to better understand and accommodate guests with sensory sensitivities. For example, new sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will also be available to any guests upon request.

Training provided by KultureCity®, led by both medical and neurodivergent professionals, also empowers staff to be able to recognize guests with potential sensory needs and how to appropriately handle a situation where a guest might be overwhelmed.

“Shedd Aquarium is more prepared than we’ve ever been to joyfully and comfortably welcome guests who might otherwise feel like a visit to the aquarium could be too overwhelming,” said Khalfani Makalani, director of hiring and training for guest relations at Shedd Aquarium. “We are wearing this certification as a badge of honor.”

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. Individuals might become overwhelmed by large crowds, lights, sounds, smells or other external stimuli.

Alongside the sensory bags, Shedd Aquarium operates a Quiet Room and regularly offers Calm Waters events, where capacity limits and low-sensory programming help to foster an environment that might feel safer for guests with sensory needs.

"Empowering communities through inclusion and innovation, Shedd Aquarium is aligned with the same visionary spirit as KultureCity® and is championing a world where every individual, regardless of ability, is not just accepted but celebrated for their unique contributions to the tapestry of humanity!” Uma Srivastava, Executive Director, KultureCity®.

Shedd Aquarium is deeply invested in creating an accessible aquarium experience for all guests. This includes accessible seating, mobility devices, interpretive services, tactile models throughout the exhibits and more.

You can read more about Shedd’s broad accessibility efforts here.