The Grace Fisher Foundation (GFF) and Autism Embrace have created the Hidden Haven, an inclusive sensory room designed to be a transformative space where families navigating autism and other sensory needs can feel welcome.
The Hidden Haven is being built within GFF’s Inclusive Arts Clubhouse at La Cumbre Plaza in Santa Barbara.
The Hidden Haven’s official opening event will be 1-3 p.m. April 13, coinciding with the second anniversary of the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse. Families, educators and advocates are invited to attend.
“More than just a room, The Hidden Haven is a message: ‘We want you here,’” GFF said.
“In the Hidden Haven, sensory experiences are celebrated, not managed. Every detail is intentional,” GFF said. “This space is a haven where movement, sound and touch create comfort, not overwhelm.
“For families who often feel like they have to adapt to the world, the Hidden Haven is a world designed for them — a space where all abilities, all emotions, and all experiences are welcomed, embraced, and supported.”
Families will have access to Autism Embrace sensory bags, filled with curated tools designed to help regulate and support sensory experiences, available for checkout or purchase.
The Grace Fisher Foundation has long been committed to making the arts accessible to all abilities; including the healing arts. All programs are offered free of charge made possible by community grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
This partnership with Autism Embrace takes that mission a step further.
“By integrating Autism Embrace’s expertise in sensory-friendly experiences, Hidden Haven will be a model for how public spaces can thoughtfully and intentionally welcome neurodivergent individuals and their families without the burden of insurance paperwork,” the foundation said.
GFF is looking for volunteers and college interns to manage the experiences.
“Community collaborations and engagement are at the core of Grace’s vision in all of GFF’s creative outreach initiatives,” said Jana Brody, GFF director of development and operations.
“We want everyone and every age and every ability to experience creativity.”
“The Hidden Haven is a place to feel safe, and Autism Embrace is a community to stay supported,” said JJ McLeod, founder of Autism Embrace. “When we create inclusive spaces, we tell them, ‘We see you, we value you, and we want you here.’
“And, when we connect them to a larger community like Autism Embrace, we’re saying, ‘When you leave here, you are not alone. You have resources. You have a community. You belong.’”
The Grace Fisher Foundation is dedicated to making the arts accessible to individuals of all abilities, fostering inclusion, and self-expression through music, dance, and visual arts free of charge.
Autism Embrace provides education, resources and advocacy to support families navigating an autism diagnosis.