April Surac
Belonging should never be treated like a privilege of design. It should be built into the world from the beginning.
April (17), from United States, grew up in her family’s furniture workshop, where she learned that design can shape how people experience the world. Her perspective became personal through her autistic younger sister. She saw how bright lights, loud sounds and unpredictable environments can make schools, hospitals, museums and community spaces difficult for neurodiverse children to navigate.
April founded NeuraSensa, a sensory accessibility initiative that creates multisensory installations and therapeutic supports to help children participate with greater comfort and confidence. She has brought sensory-inclusive experiences to SOBO Windermere Art Gallery, CityArts Orlando and community events, reaching more than 15,000 people.
Through her Sponsor-a-Kit program, April has distributed more than 250 therapeutic kits to families, educators, hospitals and disability-serving organizations. She also leads workshops with children, families, educators and therapists, helping them understand how design can improve access and participation. Through NeuraSensa, April is showing that inclusive spaces should be designed with every child in mind from the start.
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