Eleven New York City subway stations, including transit hub Times Square, are playing MTA announcements recorded by kids with autism through the end of April.
The public service messages are, of course, part of Autism Acceptance Month. (All these April programs are great, but why limit them to one month out of the year?) The messages, done in conjunction with INCLUDEnyc, advise customers to follow subway rules of conduct, as well as raise awareness about neurodiversity.
Gothamist reports that it’s the second straight year of the program and that it’s part “of a campaign that celebrates the youngsters’ deep affinity for mass transit.”
The announcements play in 15-minute intervals at the following stations:
- Fulton Street
- 96 St
- E180 St
- 14 St Union Square
- Times Square
- 34th St Penn Station
- Bowling Green
- Atlantic Av Barclays
- Flatbush Av
- Forest Hills 71st Av
- Queensboro Plaza
ALSO ON OUR RADAR
The New York Transit Museum has an after-school program called Subway Sleuths. The site says “it builds on a shared interest in trains and public transit among 2nd through 5th-grade students on the autism spectrum to support social interaction between peers.” It’s not taking any more applications for Spring 2023, but if you live in New York City, it’s worth checking out for another time.
