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Stow Inclusion Commission eyes May sensory‑friendly event; plans site visit with Parks & Recreation
Summary
Commissioners brainstormed sensory‑friendly and inclusive activities — a senior‑center multi‑room night, a sensory respite bus for the Fourth of July parade, sensory‑friendly movie showings and themed crafts — and agreed to invite Parks & Recreation to the next meeting and target an initial event in May.
The Stow City Commission on Inclusion spent the second half of its Feb. 24 meeting brainstorming a community‑wide inclusive event aimed at people with sensory needs and disabilities.
Commission member Taran opened the discussion with sensory‑friendly movie and venue ideas; members suggested a range of low‑cost, accessible programming including board‑game rooms at the senior center, a multi‑room "choose your own adventure" night (movies, board games, crafts), bowling, adaptive swimming sessions, and themed instructional crafts with the Stow Arts Commission.
Commissioner Jason proposed using the city's new ADA‑compliant Parks & Recreation bus as a ticketed, pre‑registered sensory‑respite during the Fourth of July parade — a staffed, limited‑capacity space where families or attendees could step away from loud moments and return to the route later. "We could advertise as a sensory place for people with different accommodations," he said.
Members recommended using the senior center for the initial event because it offers multiple rooms and a screen for films; they discussed registration to limit numbers and preserve a calm environment, the need for keys and Parks & Recreation cooperation, and options to host indoor and weather‑resilient activities in lodge spaces. The commission tentatively aimed for May for a first event and agreed to invite Parks & Recreation to the next meeting and to schedule a site visit to assess logistics and key access.
The commission also discussed partnering with the Stow Arts Commission and local clubs (high‑school volunteer groups, Scouts) to supply performers and instructors and to standardize messaging and registration. No budget was committed at the meeting; members emphasized starting small, reserving space, and measuring attendance and participant feedback before expanding the program.
Next steps: invite Parks & Recreation to the next meeting, hold a site visit at the senior center, and continue drafting a program plan and registration process for the proposed May event.
