Wednesday, July 12, 2017

The Akron Zoo Has Become Sensory Inclusive!

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*Photo from courtesy of the Akron Zoo*
Our family has always loved the Akron Zoo. We have appreciate how they are so family friendly and customer focused. They have now added another wonderful feature that will allow even more people to enjoy the zoo!! The Akron Zoo is now sensory inclusive. In fact they are now the first zoo in Ohio and the second zoo in the country to be sensory inclusive.Yeah!!!


The Akron Zoo teamed up with another fabulous organization KultureCity to train all their staff on sensory processing. They now have sensory bags available to rent during a visit, free-of-charge. These bags include items like noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys. Anyone needing a sensory bag during their visit can check one out for free at the office located in the Welcome Center. There are five quiet zones for guests who are in need of a quiet break, including a guest comfort station, which is a private room for guests to use. There are also areas designated that may be louder than normal, like the carousel, where guests with sensory needs may need to use noise cancelling headphones.

Photo from courtesy of the Akron Zoo
Some of you may be asking yourself why this is such a big deal. This is why. Everyone experiences the world and their surroundings differently. It is our differences that make us unique and special. To some individuals, their world at times becomes overwhelming and overstimulating, causing discomfort and distress and limiting the activities that they can participate in.  By the Akron Zoo becoming sensory inclusive, they have opened their doors and their hearts to so many more people in the community.

Being a mom of a son that struggles daily with sensory processing issues, I can assure you that this is huge!!! Many places have become sensory friendly. While this is a step in the right direction. Sensory friendly still limits accessibility to a specific time or location. What the Akron Zoo has done is ensure individuals who experience sensory issues, daily accessibility not limited by time and location thus creating an accepting and inclusive community. Amazing!!

So this mom gives a big shout out to the Akron Zoo and KultureCity for the fabulous job they are doing, Thank you so much!! My family will continue to visit, explore and support the Akron Zoo. I hope you will too!



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2 comments :

  1. Kudos to the Akron Zoo for this one! We love going to zoos and it's wonderful that this one makes provisions for all of its visitors!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is awesome! I wish our zoo would get on board with this!

    ReplyDelete

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