ORLANDO – As NBA players weigh their options during free agency, there are often a lot of factors at play.
Some of the most common components that go under consideration are potential playing time, possibility for team success, on-court fit, money, organizational culture, and the location of the franchise.
For Joe Ingles, who signed with the Orlando Magic this offseason, there was another factor at play. His 7-year-old son, Jacob, happens to fall on the autism spectrum.
As a dedicated parent, Ingles told his agent before he even hit the market that any potential destination would need to have a school nearby that could support Jacob’s needs.
While one would assume that any major city in this day and age would have schools and facilities to support children with autism, that’s not necessarily the case.
Although Ingles was able to find a destination that was a perfect fit for his family, he’s well aware that not everyone has that luxury. And as a result, he continues to advocate for awareness for individuals with invisible disabilities.
On Tuesday, Joe, along with his wife Renae Ingles, joined forces with the Magic and KultureCity to host the Magic of Inclusion Luncheon at the Kia Center. As part of the Magic’s continued commitment to inclusion, the purpose of the luncheon was to advance access and equity for individuals with invisible disabilities.
“We’re so grateful for the opportunity here with the Magic and KultureCity to continue to shine a light on something that is obviously very close to our hearts,” Joe explained. “Renae and I know the impact something like this can have on a family and having a great support system in place is huge. The Orlando community has been very welcoming and open to helping us with this incredibly important cause for so many families.”
Along with a speech from Magic CEO Alex Martins and performance from Indie-Rock singer/songwriter and autism/anti-bullying advocate, Adin Boyer, the afternoon also featured a panel discussion among Executive Director of KultureCity, Uma Srivastava; KultureCity team member, Sean Culkin; Jonathan’s Landing Founder, Jason Eichenholz; Director of Specialty Care at AdventHealth for Children, Jessica Galo; and Joe Ingles.
“I think this (outpouring of support) is a reflection of the organization here,” said Renae. “It’s family first, basketball second. I think that really reflects both on and off the court and in the people that are here in this organization. We’ve been welcomed with open arms since the very first day we landed here.”
The Magic’s commitment to inclusion extends within the Kia Center as well with a sensory room available to all patrons. The sensory room promotes a positive and accommodating experience for all fans and guests with sensory sensitivities who attend events at the arena. The space was designed by KultureCity back in 2017 and provides a dedicated space for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment in order to have a great experience.
“It’s super exciting to be here at Kia Center today with Joe and Renae Ingles,” said Srivastava. “They are proud board members at KultureCity. We’re a non-profit that supports inclusion for all … Today, we’re here to share our work within the Orlando community and talk about how we can all be inclusive.”
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to noise and over stimulation, which can be a large part of the environment at a sports and entertainment venue.
KultureCity is the world’s first startup nonprofit with the mission to rethink accessibility to create acceptance and inclusion for individuals of all unique abilities. Founded in 2014, KultureCity’s programs break down the barriers of accessibility and have impacted more than 1.5 million lives throughout the USA.