Image Description: An image of a female-presenting person with olive skin and long dark brown hair with blonde ombre dyed at the end. They smile towards the camera warmly, and are wearing a zebra-printed athletic sweater, with a faded background that shows greenery and trees surrounding them as the sun shines.
Chris/teen (she/they) is a queer, mad, disabled South Asian uninvited settler on Turtle Island, and the Founder & Director of HELD Agency, the first-ever Active Listener staffing, training, and consulting agency. Her work centres on normalizing held, decompression spaces, while providing meaningful work opportunities to Peers with lived experience. HELD Agency expands what is considered an accessibility feature by curating spaces that are socially and emotionally inclusive at events, schools, and workplaces.
**Designing Decompression: How Active Listeners & Held Spaces Expand Accessibility October 10, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Presenter: Christeen Salik from HELD Agency Location: Studio 1** Accessibility in the arts is more than physical - it’s about creating spaces where people can truly exhale, embrace creativity, and feel emotionally supported through the process. With a discussion on different types of decompression spaces (quiet rooms, Held Spaces, etc.) and supportive services like Active Listeners, this workshop introduces the case for intentional rest and recovery at events. We’ll explore how these practices reduce overwhelm, foster belonging, and invite deeper participation. Participants will leave with practical strategies to curate spaces and experiences that feel welcoming, supportive, and emotionally safe for all.