“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”

The poignant quote by special education professor Dr. Stephen Shore was shared during the Experiential Marketing Summit's closing session, presented by a panel of creatives from the groundbreaking Broadway musical “How to Dance In Ohio,” which stars and centers on a group of autistic young adults. The show, co-produced by event marketing agency Proscenium, has largely been lauded for redefining “accessibility,” and the EMS panel armed attendees with actionable insights on building experiences that meet the needs of all participants.

Throughout the discussion, the team reiterated why a multifaceted strategy that moves well beyond the realm of “checking a box” is essential to developing a genuinely accessible event. Behind the scenes of “How to Dance,” for instance, producers have ensured that every member of the cast feels safe and comfortable by providing resources including sensory kits containing items like noise-cancelling headphones and fidget spinners, cool-down pods that serve as private sanctuaries, sensory-friendly communications and custom stage lighting.

“Having the conversation on how to make your events accessible for all is the first step,” said Chuck Santoro, Chief Creative at Proscenium. “We always say, what do we want our audiences to feel when they leave one of our events. Now, it takes on a whole new level with this lens.”

In other words, with a thoughtful approach to accessibility, marketers can be sure that what their attendees feel when they leave an event... is a sense of belonging.