Xenia Concerts is evolving, and so is our language! 

What’s changing?

Sensory-friendly → Adaptive

Dementia-friendly → Intergenerational

Starting this September, what we once called “Sensory-Friendly Concerts” will be renamed “Adaptive Concerts” and what we used to call “Dementia-Friendly Concerts” will become “Intergenerational Concerts”.

Why change the language?

Advancing accessibility is an ongoing, ever-evolving process, and the work is never complete. Xenia Concerts is committed to continuing to expand our circle of inclusion, so our accessibility practices and concert designs have to adapt to match the needs of our community. Although our concerts already serve needs that are unmet in other concert environments, we are exploring new ways to offer access to people who face social and systemic barriers to inclusion. Furthermore, accessibility is not only about disability–it includes intersecting identities such as race, gender, class, geography, and sexuality. As we continue to consult with the neurodiversity and disability communities to inform our practices, the principles and practices we employ continue to adapt and evolve.

Why “Adaptive Concerts?”

Here’s why we chose the term “Adaptive Concerts:”

• We’ve added new accessibility features to our child- and family-oriented events to include adaptations for B/blind and partially sighted attendees, D/deaf attendees (at select events), and multiple forms of neurodivergence beyond autism.
• The term “sensory-friendly” no longer encompasses all of the accessibility adaptations we offer. The term “Adaptive Concerts” reflects Xenia’s dynamic approach to accessibility: one that responds to the needs of our community, and takes into account the full spectrum of human diversity.
• The word “Adaptive” allows for future experimentation with concert design, so that we can keep expanding our circle of inclusion.

What should we expect at an Intergenerational Concert?

Presented in partnership with Alzheimer Society of Toronto and TO Live, these all-ages events will include the same accessibility features as our Adaptive Concert series, while still including and supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. Children, youth, and their families within the neurodiversity and disability communities are welcome to attend, and we will also invite older adults living with dementia through our community partners. 

Here’s why we’re offering Intergenerational Concerts:

• We were seeking a way to make more inclusive concert experiences available while still serving the dementia and Alzheimer’s community
• Many of the adaptations from our Adaptive Concerts are also helpful to people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that intergenerational interactions are beneficial for everyone involved
• The more, the merrier! Attendees of all ages are welcome at all our events, but we wanted to make it clear that we’re encouraging both older and younger folks to come to these concerts (and everyone in between).