For a first-timer, New York City can be an extremely overstimulating destination. From honking cars, bright billboards, crowded streets, and screeching, sweaty subway cars, anyone is bound to need a break.
This experience is amplified for neurodivergent people, who often have heightened sensory sensitivities that make them more prone to feeling overwhelmed by sensory input.
KultureCity, a nonprofit that promotes sensory accessibility and acceptance, has long worked to make spaces inclusive to neurodivergent people.
The organization has a Sensory Inclusive Certification available to venues, organizations, or small businesses aiming to create more sensory-accessible spaces. It also works with musicians like Coldplay to make concerts less overstimulating and more accessible.
KultureCity’s latest project is a crowd-sourced map of neurodivergent-accessible spaces throughout Manhattan.
Inspired by the iconic Vignelli subway map and playfully named “Let’s Map Neu York,” the guide will soon roll out across cabs, bus stations, and LinkNYC structures across the city, as well as on screens in Times Square. It can also be found on Google Maps.
The city’s re-spelling in the map title is a nod to the project’s emphasis on neuroinclusivity.
“The spelling of ‘Neu’ York is intentional, with ‘Neu’ representing the first three letters of neurodiversity,” KultureCity’s executive director Uma Srivastava said in a statement.
“By integrating neurodiversity directly into the name, we’re emphasizing the focus on fostering an environment where all individuals, regardless of sensory needs, can feel welcome.”
With 125 “starter” locations on the map, it’s designed to help neurodivergent individuals — as well as any resident or visitors — feel more comfortable navigating the city.
Five criteria are considered for a location to be added to the map. They include lower noise levels, soft lighting and visual calmness, comfortable seating and shelter, clear signage and wayfinding, and physical accessibility.
“Given that NYC is one of the most overstimulating cities, we were inspired to lead this program to support sensitive residents and visitors alike,” Srivastava said. “Overstimulation is a major challenge for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD.”
Some of the destinations on the map include KultureCity Sensory Inclusive certified locations, which offer other accommodations. These places have partnered with the nonprofit to earn a designation that includes continuous training, sensory bags, signage, lap pads, app integration, and ongoing support.
Included in the 12 certified locations in Manhattan are places like Color Factory New York, the Jackie Robinson Museum, Central Park Zoo, Madison Square Garden, Lyric Theatre, and more.
“Color Factory is delighted to partner with KultureCity as part of our drive to improve our accessibility offering,” the interactive museum shares on its website. “1 in 4 individuals have a sensory need or an invisible disability. Public spaces can be overwhelming due to sensory overload, making inclusivity essential.”
Many places keen on embracing accessibility include arts and theater locations. For Christopher Jackson, known for his role as George Washington in the original Broadway production of “Hamilton,” and a board member at KultureCity, this new map is a beacon for N.Y.C. newcomers.
“As someone who’s spent their career on stage in New York City, [I] know how inspiring and overwhelming this city can be, especially if you're new or navigating it with sensory sensitivities,” Jackson told Good Good Good. “The Let's Map Neu York initiative is a simple but powerful way to say: you belong here.”
He went on to add that the guide isn’t just a collection of locations, but a way to find moments of calm in a city that often feels like “it’s moving a million miles an hour.”
While the map’s initial focus is on Manhattan, KultureCity encourages N.Y.C. residents and visitors to submit their own favorite places to be considered for the guide. The goal is to expand the list across the city’s five boroughs.
“What makes it powerful is that it’s community-driven,” Jackson added. “It’s built by all of us: locals, commuters, tourists, neighbors, sharing the spaces that feel comfortable and welcoming. It's about … the belief that every kind of mind deserves to feel at home here. And that’s the kind of New York City I want to be part of.”
