Honored to Receive an Award at 2024 Disability Matters North America

The sensory friendly hours started in the fall of 2023 and are held on the last Saturday of the month (January 27th, February 24th, March 30th, April 27th, May 25th, June 29th) at 3:45 pm.

This time will provide an inclusive atmosphere for individuals of all ages and abilities to enjoy a meal in a relaxed and crowd-free dining experience with limited people and contact. The sensory friendly hour creates a safe and comfortable environment for people with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other physical, cognitive, or development disabilities, and their families, friends, and caretakers.

We want to give neurodiverse restaurant patrons a positive dining experience in a welcoming environment. Patrons can bring fidget objects, noise-reducing headphones, and other sensory tools or devices. Noise will be limited and lights will be dimmed. Our staff provides efficient service with minimal contact but are always available if you need extra assistance.

Chef Sarah designed a special limited menu that eliminates long wait times. At 5 pm, the servers will provide all guests with their checks and alert them that when the restaurant opens for regular business at 5:15 pm, customers will begin arriving, lights will be turned up, and the music will go on. Guests are welcome to stay as long as they like.

Prairie Grass Cafe thanks Hannah Rose Higdon for acting as a consultant and advocate on this project. We appreciate the wisdom and integrity that she brings to the table.

We are so grateful for the recognition that Chef Sarah, Hannah Rose and Prairie Grass is receiving. We hope that this helps pave the way for more restaurants to be inclusive of all.

Springboard works with companies around the globe to mainstream people with disabilities in the workforce, workplace and marketplace.

Their vision is for a world where disability inclusion is not the effect of a particular initiative, but the cause of businesses realizing increased productivity and profitability. Where discrimination, high unemployment and bias are not unfortunate outcomes but reasons to do things differently.

Disability Matters is one of the most important corporate events in the world. The highly coveted awards and conference is held annually in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. These awards are given to corporations around the globe that are leading the way in mainstreaming disability in three categories: Workforce, Workplace and/or Marketplace. In North America specifically, three additional award categories are offered: Steps-to-Success, Disability Champion and Employer/Supplier of Choice. These award-winning initiatives are publicly celebrated during the Awards Ceremony. Moreover, the conference features experts from corporations, academia, government, and the national non-profit sector who share best practices relative to successfully embarking on this most important work. Companies interested in being considered for any of the above awards are encouraged to self-nominate. Companies may also be nominated by others.

Sarah Stegner is the co-owner & chef of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook Illinois. She is a two-time James Beard Award Winner and was named Restaurateur of the Year by the Illinois Restaurant Association. She is a founding member of Green City Market (501c3), a founding member of The Abundance Setting, (501c3), a co-founder of   Chicago Chefs Cook and is a member of the Chef Corp for WCKITCHEN. She also acts as an advisor to Chef Sebastian White of The Evolved Network, which creates a wellness space through food, farming, and cooking for “our kids."

Hannah Rose Higdon is Native American Lakota and a part of the Hunkpapa (Leaders of the Circle) clan where she grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. She has shown perseverance as a deaf individual living in a predominately hearing world. She regularly volunteers by giving back to the deaf community and serves as a deaf advocate. She always brings her unique insights and abilities to create a more inclusive world through education.