Wednesday October 22

Workshop #2 - From Sensory Overload to Shopper Ease (WaterPlace Ballroom)

The U.S. disability community holds an estimated $490 billion in annual disposable income, and unlocking that opportunity begins with empathy, accessibility and thoughtful design. Retail often focuses on engaging customers’ senses, but do we consider how this affects every shopper? Drawing from her professional expertise in the retail industry and her journey of healing from a traumatic brain injury, Meg Lefeld of ZenGenius will explore how sensory accessibility can shape the future of retail environments. This hands-on workshop invites participants to step into the shoes of shoppers with sensory sensitivities through guided empathy exercises. Attendees will experience what it feels like to navigate retail with different abilities and uncover how accessible design choices can help remove barriers, reduce stress and create shopping experiences that work for everyone.

Takeaways:

• Experience firsthand how sensory barriers impact shoppers
• Understand how the brain processes sensory input and why accessibility matters
• Apply this empathy and awareness to future projects, leading with accessibility