{"id":413785,"date":"2023-04-10T12:09:58","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T17:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=413785"},"modified":"2023-04-12T18:23:58","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T23:23:58","slug":"tao-chicago-x-kulture-city-raising-autism-awarenss-with-giant-fortune-cookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/tao-chicago-x-kulture-city-raising-autism-awarenss-with-giant-fortune-cookies\/","title":{"rendered":"TAO Chicago x KultureCity: Raising Autism Awareness with Giant Fortune Cookies"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of Chicago’s hottest restaurants and night club. Low sensory needs. Autism Awareness Month. You probably didn’t expect to hear these three worlds showing up in one sentence. But it is true! TAO Chicago, a hotspot in River North, is highlighting Autism awareness all month long through special menu items that give back 10% to Autism related charities and through additional sensory inclusivity training.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: TAO Chicago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In partnership with KultureCity, Tao Group Hospitality has become the first global hospitality group to have sensory-inclusive restaurants. Staff members at each venue completed a training program regarding how to welcome and host guests with sensory needs. Each venue will also have sensory inclusion packs (including headphones, a weighted blanket, a visual feeling thermometer, a fidget spinner, a stress ball, and a KC VIP Lanyard) for families to borrow while dining in the venues.<\/p>\n

And here’s the thing: while under-discussed, Chicago is one of the most forwarding cities regarding sensory inclusion. Our hospitality, travel, and entertainment industries hold themselves accountable for providing the best experience for all individuals. With Autism Awareness Month unfolding, we’ve invited Ralph Scamardella<\/strong>, Chief Culinary Officer & EVP, TAO Hospitality, Charles Lerner<\/strong>, Manager, Community Affairs & Engagement, TAO Hospitality, Uma Srivastava<\/strong>, Executive Director, KultureCity, and Meg Raby<\/strong>, KultureCity to join us for an interview to chat about the giant fortune cookie fundraiser, the inclusion bags, and Chicago’s progress on autism awareness.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Dan Nilsen Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Q (Urban Matter): Thank you for joining us today! Let’s start with the big WHY. Why is autism awareness a significant cause for TAO Group, and what made you partner up with Kultrue City?<\/strong><\/p>\n

R (Ralph Scamardella): <\/strong>I have a young son who has autism, diagnosed about 13 or 14 years ago. It was frustrating to see what he has to go through because… If someone has a physical disability: if you’re in crutches or a wheelchair, people run and come help you. But when you have mental or educational disabilities, people tend to run the other way. [It seems invisible disabilities] come with fear and trepidation. We really just wanted to help him, his school, and the community they served, which were tremendously under-served.<\/p>\n

If an individual with sensory needs is not well-off, they don’t have access to facilities or programs that provided the support someone with autism might need. And that’s what TAO’s sensory-inclusion initiation is about. It’s a way for me to do something good and try to improve the situation, not only for those with the need but also for other participants to raise awareness: autistic individuals are just like everybody else. Some of them are quite smart, and others go through whatever problems others experience.<\/p>\n

KultureCity steps in to help with the sensory needs. Say you’re at dinner with a family or friend with low sensory needs. KultureCity provided the packet with things that will help you adapt and lessen the burden created by the sensitivity, such as the headphones so that individuals and the people they came with can all enjoy themselves.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Dan Nilsen Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Q: Have you previously worked with KultureCity?<\/strong><\/p>\n

C (Charles Lerner): <\/strong>We’ve worked with KultureCity for a few years. Our first inclusion training with KultureCity was March 5th, 2020. Then everything was put on hold. Last year, we trained all the restaurants, and this year, we re-trained all 23 restaurants and all our cities in the US and the UK. We think sensory inclusion training is something we are already ahead of the curve with, given that we are a hospitality company. So, most of our team members already think of guest-first experience: how can we make the guest experience second to none?<\/p>\n

Therefore, educating them on the specifics of what autism is, what sensory issues are, and how to adapt to those needs. It is very simple training. And we also want to lead the way with all the restaurant-specific requirements and allow people to enjoy themselves. This was brought into the company by Chef Ralph before I joined, and it shared with people that not everybody has the same path to get to where they are, but hospitality is a very inclusive and diverse field overall. We have a work-study program where we have autistic students who work in restaurants. This helps educate people who lack awareness and understanding of autism.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by KultureCity (@kulturecity)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n