Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty
Whether you’re a fan of sports, music, or just culture in general, everyone’s invited to theSoFi Stadium— and they mean everyone.
That’s because the state-of-the-art complex at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., proudly comes equipped with not one but three Sensory Rooms specially designed for people with invisible disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder.
KultureCityboard member and actressJae Suh Parktells PEOPLE all about how the nonprofit helped create a safe space for people with sensory needs at SoFi Stadium and the accompanying YouTube Theater.
“This was more about making the world around you very supporting of your sensory needs, providing things such as earphones or fidget toys, things that will just make your experience more ‘normal’ or more fun,” she says. “You can enjoy music shows, or go to a game, or go to the bathroom.”
“That was a big thing for my daughter, she is on the spectrum and she has a lot of sensory needs. For a really long time, she couldn’t go to a public bathroom because of the echoes and the dryers,” Jae, 38, explains.
Jeff Lewis/SoFi Stadium
“With KultureCity, being able to go to the zoo, going to concerts, going to places that other kids go to, that creates that inclusion already: you’re involved, you’re included, you’re a friend,” says Jae.
“I am so proud to be a part of KultureCity. Our mission of spreading awareness and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities is something that I believe enriches all of our lives,” Randall, 48, shares with PEOPLE. “Inclusivity benefits everyone!”
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“In a sense, she loves everything that all other typical kids do, just in a different way,” the proud Mom tells PEOPLE.
SoFi Stadium
However, stigmas surrounding people with sensory needs and other disabilities still remain.
KultureCity COO Uma Srivastava echoes theFriends from Collegestar’s sentiment, especially during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“A lot of Asians have a lot of stigmas when it comes to sensory needs. It now takes people like Jae and Randall in power to talk about it, to bust that bubble, and break that myth,” Srivastava tells PEOPLE.
“Sensory needs are here, there’s nothing wrong about them, there’s nothing bad. We should actually treat them with the same kindness as the person next to us,” she adds.
Outside of its sensory rooms, SoFi Stadium boasts a max capacity of just over 100,000 and has been home to both theLos Angeles Ramsand theLos Angeles Chargerssince opening in 2020. It will also house multiple events for the2028 Summer Olympicsand currently hasThe Kinsey African American Art & History Collectionon display through June.
“There’s so many great organizations and so many great people who are saying, ‘No, we want this world to be inclusive.’ Because it’s not just good for the people who need it, it’s good for everyone,” notes Jae.
“It makes people kinder, it makes them more accepting, it makes them happier to help somebody with special needs, or to help someone who is in need … it makes people feel good,” she adds. “Ultimately, I believe the children are our future.”
source: people.com
