Milwaukee advances plan to become a Certified Sensory Inclusive City

The Common Council's Steering and Rules Committee unanimously approved file #240920 on April 6, authorizing the Department of Employee Relations to work with KultureCity on a citywide sensory inclusion program. The file is scheduled for a full Common Council vote on April 21 at 9 a.m.

The Common Council's Steering and Rules Committee unanimously approved file #240920 on Monday, April 6. The resolution relates to designating Milwaukee as a Certified Sensory Inclusive City. The ordinance would authorize the Department of Employee Relations to enter into an agreement with KultureCity to provide training and implement a citywide sensory inclusion program. Council President José G. Pérez said the effort aims to make city government and Milwaukee more welcoming for residents and employees with sensory needs. Key developments: - The Steering and Rules Committee approved file #240920 unanimously on April 6. - The ordinance would authorize the Department of Employee Relations to enter an agreement with KultureCity. - KultureCity's certification process includes staff training by medical and neurodivergent professionals and the provision of sensory bags with items such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads. - Visit Milwaukee will play a role in presenting the KultureCity training model to partners and organizations across the city. - The full Common Council is scheduled to consider the file at its meeting on Tuesday, April 21 at 9 a.m. Summary: If adopted by the full Common Council, the ordinance would begin a citywide sensory inclusion program led by city employees in partnership with KultureCity and supported in outreach by Visit Milwaukee. The next procedural step is a vote by the full Common Council on Tuesday, April 21 at 9 a.m.