VACNJ Achieves Prestigious KultureCity® Certification, Furthering Commitment to Inclusivity
Summit, NJ (September 24, 2025)—For the fourth consecutive year, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) has been certified as a Sensory Inclusive™ venue by KultureCity®, a leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs. KultureCity’s flagship Sensory Inclusive program, embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions nationwide and worldwide, provides staff with training and resources to better support individuals with sensory sensitivities. Thanks to this program, countless families and individuals can now enjoy live events, entertainment, and public spaces with greater comfort and ease. As part of the certification process, VACNJ staff received training from medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to respond in the event of a sensory overload.
Sensory sensitivities—often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other conditions—can make crowds, lights, sounds, smells, and other stimuli overwhelming. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves to fully participate in all aspects of life, KultureCity® works to foster a culture of acceptance. Through its innovative programs and partnerships, the organization continues to break down barriers that have historically prevented individuals with sensory needs from enjoying public spaces and events. With this renewed certification, VACNJ is better prepared to provide guests with the most comfortable and supportive experience possible.
Before visiting, guests can download the free KultureCity® App to preview available sensory features and access the Social Story, which offers a step-by-step overview of what to expect during a visit to VACNJ.
“Empowering communities through inclusion and innovation, VACNJ 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,” said Uma Srivastava, Executive Director, KultureCity®.
About KultureCity®
Founded in 2014, KultureCity® is a dynamic nonprofit at the forefront of the inclusivity movement, dedicated to creating a more accessible and accepting world for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities, which affect one in four people. In the last decade, KultureCity® has:
- Certified more than 1,800 venues as sensory inclusive
- Distributed nearly one million sensory bags to individuals in need
- Made more than 150 live events sensory inclusive
- Saved 48 lives through its First Responder Training
Beyond physical spaces, KultureCity® collaborates with leaders across industries—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and FIFA—to make flagship events sensory inclusive, while also raising awareness of invisible disabilities. With its ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and passionate community, KultureCity® is reshaping the landscape of inclusivity for generations to come.