Our Story

About the Festival

The 2024 Neurodiverse Culture Festival is a free event for all ages, designed by and for the neurodivergent community. Launched in 2023, the festival’s mission revolves around nurturing a sense of belonging for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, who often find themselves marginalized in traditional public events due to accessibility barriers.

The festival seeks to celebrate neurodiverse culture through a myriad of interactive activities including musical performances, educational presentations, animal encounters, and community engagement.

This year, the festival is expanding to offer a Neurodiverse Marketplace and advocacy-based programming. Complimentary accessibility aids and sensory-friendly spaces will be available to meet a variety of needs.

This fun and inclusive event encourages people with and without disabilities to come together and recognize that we are all part of the same community.

Festival Background

The Neurodiverse Culture Festival was created in 2023 by local entrepreneur Doug Blecher, founder of Autism Personal Coach. As someone who is neurodivergent himself, Doug knows that even the most enjoyable community gatherings can feel overwhelming.

His experiences inspired him to create an accessible, inclusive festival that puts the needs of the neurodiverse community at the forefront. The inaugural event was a success, and Doug received overwhelmingly positive feedback encouraging him to host it again.