KultureCity has revealed plans for a National Accessibility Park, housed at the historic Powell Steam Plant in downtown Birmingham. The facility will support disability navigation and education and workforce development and retraining. It will incorporate community participation through the National Disability Learning Center, City Technical College, Museum of Kulture for Accessibility and the Intergenerational Park and Amphitheater.
“We are honored to expand accessibility and open every-day experiences to more people, including the one in four of us who have invisible disabilities through KultureCity’s National Accessibility Park,” said Michele Kong, co-founder of KultureCity. “We are thrilled to open a space that will help more individuals navigate disability post-diagnosis, including building career opportunities, and strengthen the Birmingham community through a sensory inclusive and accessible gathering space.”
Following diagnosis, individuals and families are often left to navigate complex medical systems, therapy pathways, education planning, financial and legal uncertainty and emotional isolation. According to a KultureCity release, the goal of the National Disability Learning Center will be to support these individuals and families, providing guidance and education.
As part of KultureCity’s plan, the City Technical College will create a fully integrated workforce training ecosystem under one connected campus. Multiple businesses will reside inside the National Accessibility Park, serving as fully operational training environments to allow individuals to experience and learn many different career paths. It also will be connected to KultureCity’s network of more than 7,000 sensory accessible venues and organizations globally.
According to a KultureCity release, the Museum of Kulture for Accessibility will help fill the gap in public understanding of disabilities by telling the story of disability rights and accessibility movements, as well as creating immersive educational experiences and hosting the National Disability Arts Gallery.
While the NAP is designed to impact the nation, KultureCity states in its release that the Intergenerational Park and Amphitheater is intentionally designed for the Birmingham community. Designed with sensory support throughout, the Intergenerational Park and Amphitheater will feature community events including concerts, parks, and sporting and other live events.
KultureCity is a global nonprofit for sensory accessibility and acceptance and was recently named to Time Inc.’s 100 Industry Leader in Social Good listing.
