Building a “New Normal”: Two Volunteers’ Dedication to Sensory Inclusion

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honorees Maya and Lara Hammoud. Read their story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Maya and Lara Hammoud are driving forces for inclusivity and acceptance, having co-founded the Perception Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating sensory-friendly spaces and events for neurodiverse individuals. Through their tireless efforts, the sisters have established nine sensory rooms across schools, medical clinics and community centers, providing safe and calming environments that support sensory regulation and alleviate stress. Their work ensures that neurodiverse individuals have access to spaces tailored to their needs while fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Beyond physical spaces, Maya and Lara have organized more than 20 sensory-friendly events, including ice cream socials, art classes and other activities designed to encourage participation and socialization without sensory overwhelm. Their events are not only joyful but impactful, providing families with opportunities to connect and build a strong, supportive community. Their efforts have directly benefited over 25,000 individuals, demonstrating the profound need for—and success of—sensory-inclusive initiatives.

Funding these initiatives is no small feat, but the Hammoud sisters have proven their resourcefulness, raising more than $21,000 through fundraising and grant applications to fuel their mission. As the foundation’s leaders, they personally oversee every aspect of its operations, from building sensory rooms and organizing events to distributing over 215 sensory kits to families in need. Their commitment to accessibility shines through in every program they’ve designed and every space they’ve created, ensuring lasting impact.

Maya and Lara’s advocacy extends far beyond their local community. Through platforms like Instagram, international podcasts and appearances in films, they’ve amplified awareness for autism and neurodiversity on a global scale. Their message is clear: acceptance and understanding can reshape the world for neurodiverse individuals. With their foundation’s mantra, “Building our world’s new normal, one sensory space at a time,” the Hammoud sisters continue to inspire change and demonstrate the power of community-driven action.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

For us, volunteering isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are. It’s our mission, our purpose. We don’t see it as a role, but as a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place, especially for those who are often overlooked: the neurodivergent community. Volunteering is about using everything we have – our time, our energy, our resources – to create spaces where every individual, regardless of their needs, can feel seen, supported and empowered. It’s about building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Why is this issue so important to you?

This issue is personal. It all started when we met our best friend in elementary school. Every lunch hour, we spent time with him in his sensory room, watching him grow more confident and more capable. But then, his parents wanted to build him a sensory room at home – and they couldn’t afford it. That was a turning point for us. We realized that countless families were facing the same challenge, without access to the resources they needed. That moment lit a fire in us to make sure that no one would have to go without a space that makes them feel safe, understood and supported. It’s about ensuring that every child and every adult has the opportunity to thrive

Why are you inspired to get started with this initiative?

It began with a simple book, Duck! Rabbit!, that we read in elementary school. In that book, the same image can be interpreted as either a duck or a rabbit, depending on your perspective. This idea – that the world isn’t just one way, that each of us sees things through our own unique lens – resonated deeply with us. It became a guiding principle: that our differences in perception should not only be accepted but celebrated.

This lesson became even more meaningful when we witnessed the transformative power of a sensory room in the life of our best friend. When his family couldn’t afford to build one, we stepped in. We raised the funds, built the room and saw firsthand how it gave him the freedom to truly be himself. It wasn’t just a space – it was a doorway to self-expression, connection and growth. In that moment, we realized the profound power of creating environments where people can exist without judgment or limitation.

All of this ignited a drive to create a “new normal,” a world where sensory spaces aren’t an exception, but a basic right. That’s why we founded the Perception Foundation. What began as a single sensory room for one friend has now grown beyond our wildest dreams. We’ve built over nine sensory rooms, hosted more than 25 sensory-friendly events and created over 200 sensory kits. And yet, this is just the beginning.

Our foundation’s logo – the Duck! Rabbit! – has become more than just an image. It symbolizes our mission: to create spaces where people, especially those with neurodivergent needs, can experience the world on their own terms and thrive in an environment that respects their unique perspective.

As we continue to grow, we are more determined than ever to build a world where sensory spaces are not just available, but accessible to all. A world where every individual, regardless of how they perceive the world, has the opportunity to flourish. A world where our differences are not just accepted but celebrated. This is just the beginning, but with each sensory space we create, we’re building a world where everyone belongs. Together, we can change the way the world sees, one space at a time.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

Our goal is simple, yet ambitious: to make sensory spaces accessible to everyone, everywhere. We’ve seen, firsthand, the life-changing impact a sensory room can have. It’s not just about creating a space; it’s about offering someone the chance to truly be themselves, to feel safe, understood and free from judgment. We want that experience to be available to every person, no matter where they are.

We envision a future where sensory rooms and resources are as commonplace as road signs woven into the fabric of schools, museums, libraries and public spaces. Only then will we create a world where no one is isolated in the classroom, left to suffer in public, and no one is left behind because of the lack of sensory spaces.

But we know that real change doesn’t come from building rooms alone. It’s about shifting the culture – educating communities on the importance of sensory inclusion and fostering a lasting empathy. It’s about showing the world that our differences don’t make us less – they make us more.

We aim to bring this vision to life nationally in the next decade. We want to partner with schools, institutions and organizations to ensure sensory spaces are available to all. We want every child, every adult, every person to know they belong and that the world is ready to embrace them for who they are and give them the resources they need to thrive.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding moments come from the lives we touch. One story that truly stands out is from a parent who shared that, thanks to our sensory-friendly holiday event, it was the first time in 18 years her son could celebrate the season alongside his siblings. Moments like these – witnessing families come together and knowing that our work made it possible – are what remind us why we started this journey. Hearing how our efforts have opened doors for others is not only humbling but inspires us to keep pushing forward.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

We’re thrilled about our partnership with the Michigan Science Center to build a sensory room in their newly revamped Kid Town. This project will bring inclusion and accessibility to a space where children can explore, learn and play together.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

The most important thing is to simply start, regardless of your age, background or resources. For us, it all began with sitting down during lunch with our friend and helping him build social skills. We didn’t have a grand plan or know where it would take us; we just wanted to make a difference. That one small act grew into something far bigger than we ever imagined.

If you’re passionate about an issue, take that first step, no matter how small. Learn along the way, don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember that even the simplest actions can create a ripple effect that leads to lasting change. Volunteering isn’t about solving everything at once; it’s about making a meaningful difference in someone’s life, one moment at a time.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

We’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way. There were moments when our sensory room designs didn’t fit the spaces we imagined, and grants turned us down because our impact was hard to measure. We also had to confront the stigma surrounding neurodivergence, which wasn’t easy. But despite all of that, we refused to give up. We found ways to adapt, get creative and push through. And over time, we turned our vision into a reality – creating spaces where people can truly thrive.

It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t quick, but we learned that the only way forward is to keep going, no matter the setbacks. If you’re passionate about something, the road will be hard, but it’s the persistence and the belief in your mission that will carry you through. That’s how change happens.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Maya and Lara? Find local volunteer opportunities.