Sensory-Friendly Offerings in Atlanta
Atlanta is a welcoming city for groups of all kinds—and now several attractions, sports teams, and theater performances are offering sensory-friendly tools and programming for guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Among the steps taken to provide a comfortable experience for all visitors are sensory bags, altered performances and awareness training.
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, the first sensory inclusive-certified attraction in Atlanta, partnered with KultureCity to teach its employees best practices when interacting with guests with ASD and provide kits to fulfill the needs of those visitors. The kits, free to use while at the attraction, include verbal cue cards, noise-canceling headphones and fidget tools. Weighted lap pads and designated quiet zones are also available.
"From day one, we built the Hall of Fame to be a place where all college football fans can experience the legends, traditions and pageantry of the game in a welcoming environment," said Dennis Adamovich, CEO, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. "Our attraction is interactive and engaging, and we want every person that comes through our doors to enjoy it in a comforting environment that allows them to have the best experience possible."
Zoo Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks join the Hall with their own certified offerings to ease experiences while allowing groups to enjoy their visit. State Farm Arena's transformation makes the Hawks the first Southeast Division team to play in a sensory-friendly venue, and renovations to the arena added quiet zones, a sensory room and preferred entrances to accommodate all guests.
In addition to certified attractions, Children's Museum of Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts and Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta introduced sensory-friendly programming on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Modified sound and light settings, special craft projects and required admission for crowd control allow these attractions to create their own welcoming environments. Detailed social stories and visitors' guides provide an in-depth preview of what groups can expect when visiting the attractions.
Information and photo courtesy of Atlanta CVB.
