The Tampa Convention Center is expanding its accessibility efforts through training and resources provided by the . The partnership is an extension of the City of Tampa’s ongoing collaboration with CARD-USF through the .
The Distract Paks and communication cards are low cost, high-impact supports that can be highly beneficial for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The convention center welcomes thousands of visitors each year and hosts events ranging from national conventions and competitions to smaller private gatherings. With high attendance and large-scale events, resources to support a neurodiverse audience are increasingly important.
Tampa Convention Center staff received training from CARD-USF on autism spectrum disorder and strategies for accommodating guests with varying sensory needs. Staff were also provided emergency communication cards, available in English and Spanish, and Distract Paks containing noise-canceling headphones, sensory toys and fidget items.
Staff recently saw the impact of the training and resources during an event when a child became overwhelmed. Employees assisted the family in locating a quiet space and provided a Distract Pak, which helped the child calm down. The family expressed appreciation for the staff’s response.
The training and resources have given our team the confidence to meet the needs of all our attendees, and that’s wonderful to see. Being welcoming and inclusive truly defines who we are, so this partnership made perfect sense for us.
Kirstin Albert, Communications Coordinator for the Tampa Convention Center
The convention center’s accessibility efforts align with the City of Tampa’s Autism Friendly Initiative to create a more welcoming, sensory-friendly environment for individuals of all abilities.
CARD-USF continues to work with the city’s ADA coordinator and the Autism Friendly Tampa Committee to enhance accessibility across city programs and departments, even supporting sensory-relief zones at major city-sponsored events such as the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and Boom by the Bay.
“The Autism Friendly Tampa Committee has played an integral role in introducing us to the convention center and working closely with its staff,” said Liz Burke, MS, CARD-USF consultant and Autism Friendly project lead.
“Navigating the convention center can be challenging for individuals who are neurodivergent because of its size and the potential for crowded, overstimulating environments. Low-cost, high impact supports such as Distract Paks and communication cards can be highly beneficial for individuals on the autism spectrum. The goal is to help them feel safe and comfortable, maintain sensory neutrality, and remain in the convention center so they can participate in and engage with events and activities,” Burke said.
CARD-USF’s efforts to support businesses in expanding accessibility extend beyond the City of Tampa. The group works with a growing number of local attractions, libraries and other organizations across its 14-county service area that are seeking to become .
Through continued partnerships and training, CARD-USF aims to build sensory-friendly environments that support meaningful participation for individuals of all abilities within their communities.