Read the script:
[Margaret] Looking at leaping lemurs, feeding a giraffe, snapping a selfie with a splashing bear, a day at the zoo can be fun unless you've got sensory needs, then the bright lights, loud sounds, or big crowds can be uncomfortable or even scary. Amy Belles has said that she's seen how going to places that are supposed to be fun for kids can be anything but, see, her son Carson is on the Autism spectrum. Autism is a developmental disorder that can make things like communication and social interaction difficult. Someone with Autism might get overloaded by visiting the zoo and start to lose control of their behaviors.
- Being his mom, I just kind of learned that he was often times, when he would go places, judged maybe for some of his behaviors. And I really wanted that to change. I wanted people to see him for who he was and the potential that he has and that he has a lot going for him and he's a lot to offer.
[Margaret] Amy works with Kulturecity, a non-profit focused on making spaces more comfortable for people like her son. They worked with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to add some more sensory friendly features to the park. The program began here in the spring of 2019.
- It's been a great thing here at the zoo and basically the reason we started the program was to make sure all of our guests coming into the zoo feel welcome, they're comfortable, and they have the best day they can.
[Margaret] Now when someone who has sensory needs visits a zoo, they can stop at guest services to pick up a sensory bag. It might look like a bag full of goodies but each item has it's own special job.
- So this is a Kulturecity sensory bag and as you can see, you can, it's easily worn, a drawstring bag. And you can check it out for free at the zoo. And some things that we have in it, we have our noise canceling headphones. You can see that they're larger than typical headphones and when worn they take out the highs and the lows of pitches so it makes things a little bit easier for some individuals of those loud sounds. We also have fidgets and fidgets are exactly what they say. It's a way for somebody to fidget if they're becoming overwhelming and it really is just a calming mechanism and we have different types. Usually they're brightly colored.
[Margaret] Plus, the zoo put together a special map that points out where visitors can find a little peace and quiet or where they might want to put on those sound blocking headphones.
- We're actually in a spot right now that is a quiet zone right behind our lake. So it's shaded there's benches, it's quieter area. So we did go around the zoo and point out some of our areas that are typically a little more quiet of areas versus our louder areas. The headphone zones, these areas can be very loud. They can be loud due to crowded areas or they can be loud due to some of our rides and attractions like our carousel.
[Margaret] It's not just the zee that's taking steps to be sensory friendly. Kulturecity has partnered with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, and other organizations too. It's all about accessibility and spreading the love.
- And I think that's a really great thing to show each other love 'cause in the end we're all different but we all just want to be included and accepted and loved.