Coolidge Corner Theatre Becomes 100th Autism Welcoming Certified Business

The Coolidge Corner Theatre has become the 100th business certified through Advocates Autism Alliance's Autism Welcoming program, a milestone for the statewide effort to make everyday spaces more inclusive and sensory-responsive for individuals with autism and their families.

Since launching in 2019, the Autism Welcoming program has partnered with businesses and community organizations across Massachusetts, providing staff with autism-specific training and helping organizations identify practical ways to make their spaces more welcoming and accessible. Certified organizations receive ongoing consultation and support, customized sensory calm-kits, and visual supports and resources.

“At Advocates we believe that welcoming communities begins with listening to what they need and Autism Welcoming is exactly that belief in practice,” said Regina Marshall, president and CEO of Advocates. “This milestone shows what is possible when communities commit to understanding what people need and creating spaces where everyone can participate, connect and feel they belong.”

“Reaching 100 certified businesses means 100 more places where people with autism and their families can feel welcome, participate in everyday experiences and build greater independence,” said Allison Daigle, CTRS, executive director of Advocates Autism Alliance. “Over the last seven years, our goal with Autism Welcoming has been to show businesses that small, thoughtful changes can make a world of difference.”

As the program's 100th certified organization, the Coolidge worked closely with Autism Welcoming to identify ways to make the moviegoing experience more accessible for guests with autism and other sensory and accessibility needs.

“The magic of the movies should be an experience everyone can enjoy,” said Beth Gilligan, executive director and CEO of Coolidge Corner Theatre. “Becoming Autism Welcoming certified gives us meaningful, practical ways to better support guests with autism and sensory needs.”

The theater hosted its first Relaxed Screening on Oct. 4, featuring the 1985 classic “Back to the Future.” During Relaxed Screenings, house lights remain partially raised, sound levels are lowered and open captions are displayed. Guests are welcome to move around, vocalize, stretch or leave and return to the theater during the film.

The Coolidge also introduced sensory calm-kits available at concessions, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidgets and other sensory supports. The theater is developing a designated chillout zone, new signage and feedback mechanisms as part of its ongoing accessibility efforts. Its existing accessibility offerings include open-caption screenings, assisted listening devices, accessible seating, ramps and elevators, and ADA-accessible restrooms.

Today the Autism Welcoming network includes restaurants, retail businesses, libraries, arcades, dental practices, hair salons, museums and cultural organizations, including a multi-use location at the Natick Mall. The program recently launched Autism Welcoming for Libraries, which offers the certification process free of charge to Massachusetts libraries with support from The Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.

Families can find participating organizations in the Autism Welcoming Certified Business Directory at autismwelcoming.org/certified-business-directory. A schedule of upcoming Relaxed Screenings at the Coolidge is available at coolidge.org/programs/relaxed-screenings.

The nonprofit Coolidge Corner Theatre is a six-screen independent cinema that has welcomed more than 300,000 patrons a year since 1933. Advocates Autism Alliance, founded in 1993, is a network of more than 4,000 members supporting autistic individuals and their families.