As a program of the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation, Utah Community Builders spotlights one organization each month that’s making a meaningful difference in the community. The initiative supports the Foundation’s mission to engage Utah’s business community in addressing key issues that strengthen the state’s workforce.
KultureCity is helping people across the country feel more comfortable showing up as they are. By bringing attention to sensory needs that often go unnoticed, the organization is creating more welcoming spaces and reminding people that it’s okay to experience the world in diverse ways.
As Meg Raby Klinghoffer, Chief Koji Officer at KultureCity, shared, “1 in 4 individuals in the United States has a sensory processing need or an invisible disability. These challenges can affect people with PTSD, autism, dementia, strokes and generalized anxiety.” She also notes that sensory challenges can be acquired later in life, meaning these needs aren’t limited to one age group or diagnosis and impact far more people than many realize.
For those living with sensory challenges, everyday situations can feel overwhelming. Loud noises, bright lights, crowds and unfamiliar spaces can quickly become barriers. “We are opening the world up to kids and adults who so often go unseen,” Klinghoffer said. KultureCity helps do that by providing sensory bags and stations at events and in local businesses, offering simple tools that can make a big difference in how someone experiences a space.
Their reach extends from small, local organizations to some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. “We partner with and train workplaces of all sizes, from small organizations to major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLS and NHL — really almost every stadium and arena nationwide,” Klinghoffer explained. Through training and their Sensory Inclusive Certification, businesses learn how to be more aware, supportive and welcoming.
That commitment doesn’t stop at venues. KultureCity also provides specialized training for retail stores, shops, restaurants, schools, hotels and other everyday spaces, helping sensory inclusion become part of daily life. They also train first responders. “Salt Lake City Police were our first police agency — and now we’ve trained over 680 police agencies,” Klinghoffer said. These trainings help ensure that individuals with sensory challenges are met with understanding, especially during stressful or unfamiliar situations.
By changing how communities think about sensory needs and equipping people with the tools to respond, KultureCity is making a real, lasting difference. To learn more about KultureCity and to take the Sensory Inclusive Certification, visit their website here.
