May 12, 2024
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Lilac Festival features a lot of fun things: Local live music, and games with unexpected sound effects. But sometimes what the festival has to offer can be a lot for some people, especially, those with autism. That's why Rochester nonprofits are doing what they can to make the festival as inclusive as possible. Rochester Lilac Festival 2024: A guide to the annual event! "Sometimes that's all you need, is just a little time," Jordan Smith says she was diagnosed with sensory problems at the age of nine. "It was really hard to find things that I'm able to do," Smith said. "So, I make it my personal goal to just go out and try to raise awareness to this kind of stuff." Part of that goal is coming to life at this year's Lilac Festival. Organized by AutismUp, the Rochester nonprofit, Jordan is volunteering at the Sensory Space and gave News 8 an inside look as to what's available. "We have bags with certain fidget toys that they can take with them. We have texture boards, quiet spaces, coloring books," Smith said. And while the kids are excited to have a place to play: "The parents are really the most grateful because you can really tell, 'Hey, my kid is starting to get iffy I walked them towards the stage and they were covering their ears,'" Smith said. Jordan adding it's not just for kids. "We get grown people in here using our resources and people look at them funny," Smith said." This kind of stuff doesn't go away when you get older. These are here for everyone." The sensory space will be open at the Lilac Festival for the festival's entire run.
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