On one hand, it’s nice to see that we can have noice-canceling headphones, selective earplugs and other kinds of solutions to help #autistic and other #neurodivergent folks to reduce sensory overload in public places, but I can’t help but think that we should address the problem from the other side: to not create that overload to begin with.
Ok, I get the need for bright light in a shop: you really want to see what you’re buying, you want to choose a fruit/veggie without signs of spoiling, be able to read the label clearly etc.
But all that loud music? Is there really any value in it for the stores? Why do they keep playing it? Were there some actual real studies that have shown that putting on music increases sales?
Like, I have seen many times(and was myself) people leaving store sooner, even without the things they went for, because they couldn’t stand that loud music anymore, but I haven’t seen anyone actually staying in a shopping mall longer because they liked music or something.
So, is there any actual profit for stores in it, or are they just doing that because everyone is used to it?
Does also anyone know if there have been any studies/works on the sensory overload modern cities put on people and ways to reduce it without making things harder for other members of society?
@actuallyautistic

What it feels like being #autistic

I want to talk about #accessibility in #gaming for a minute. I consider myself a gamer. I love finding #games I can play, and they're a great way to fill time stuck in bed or waiting at doctor appointments, but because of my multiple #disabilities, I'm more limited than some on what I can play. I've been mostly sticking to text-based games or games where sound isn't critical, but I want to try some #audiogames, and after I explain why I haven't, I'm hoping other #blind people can give me some suggestions.
Some of you might know that I'm both totally blind and #autistic. Because of my #autism, I can get easily overstimulated if a game has a lot of sound coming at me all at once. My sense of direction and where I am in space is also not very good, so I might get lost in games with complex maps. I don't mind that as long as there's no timer or anything like that. I also can't keep a mental map in my head. If a sound is supposed to be coming from a certain direction, there are a lot of times that I can't tell where that sound is coming from, even with headphones on, so I might misinterpret that cue. Finally, high-pitched sounds also worsen my chronic #headaches.
There are quite a few text-based games and others where sound isn't critical, but I know there are several great audiogames out there, too, and I'm just wondering which ones might be playable for me. As long as there aren't a bunch of sounds coming at me at once, too many high-pitched sounds, or a lot of directional sound cues, I think I could play it. Does anyone know of any games I might be missing out on?
@mastoblind

Thomas Wiggins was blind & #autistic #AfricanAmerican born into slavery who became a virtuosic pianist & composer.
He also had remarkable memory & mimicry skills. He was not only able to memorize & play back complex musical pieces but to imitate animal sounds & entire conversations.
Athough exploited by his owner he was one of the most celebrated Blk concert performers of the 19th c. but is virtually unknown today
#BlackTwitter #BlackMastodon #BlackHistory #History #Music
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/thomas-blind-tom-wiggins-born-slavery/

At the end of September, I started a series of short videos called "My Neurodivergent Brain". I'm exploring my experience being #autistic with #add, and #dyslexia and sharing strategies that have helped me live in a neurotypical world. The videos are short, 3-8 minutes each.

Just learned about this really cool theme park in Texas specifically designed for kids with disabilities. Apparently this guy was having tons of trouble finding a theme park able to accommodate his daughter Morgan who has multiple disabilities. Eventually, he soled his successful business and spent $50,000,000 to build his own.
It's got 25 different attractions, tons of events, thousands of positive reviews ETC.
https://morganswonderland.com
#accessibility #A11Y #disability #blind #VisionImpaired #VisuallyImpaired #Deaf #DeafBlind #Autistic #Autism #CerebralPalsy #Wheelchair #WheelchairUser #ThemePark #ThemeParks

#Intro 1/4

hellooo! I'm Evel, an #autistic and disabled #Indigenous Person of Color, and everything I do is through that lens. Been on this planet-ride round the sun for near 40 years. also i'm #dyslexic so typos incoming!

#art/#design
i'm a graphic designer who used to think they were an artist. i do most things in #inkscape and insist on calling gnu image manipulation program GNU Imp! all my arty work is done on linux.

sometimes i post #publicDomain things here -> https://freesvg.org/by/evel