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Month: July 2017

Sensory-Friendly Summer Activities

Posted on by Paige Mador

This summer, there are many sensory-friendly summer activities for individuals with autism and sensory processing disorders available throughout the community.  Thankfully, many organizations and community groups have developed a greater awareness about the needs of this population, providing families of children with disabilities the same opportunities as everyone else.  We applaud the efforts of local vendors and organizations that are working to meet the needs of everyone, regardless of disability.

Here is a list of events and activities throughout Massachusetts that are sensory-friendly fun for the whole family:

Sensory Sensitive Saturday in Boston on July 22 – tours and programs at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Sensory-Friendly Movie on July 29 – showing of “The Emoji” in Haverhill

Family Autism Event on August 5 – The Children’s Museum in Easton

“A Little Princess” Sensory Friendly Performance on July 22 – community theater program in Brockton

Especially for Me: Autism-Friendly Evening on August 19 – Children’s Discovery Museum in Acton

Sensory Sensitive Sundays – Chuck E. Cheese’s in Worcester and other Massachusetts locations

Sensory Friendly Saturdays – Altitude Trampoline Park in Billerica

First Inclusive Water Park

Posted on by Paige Mador

Morgan’s Wonderland, the country’s most accessible theme park, has opened the world’s first inclusive water park.  Morgan’s Inspiration Island offers the excitement and fun of a water park to children and adults of all abilities, and offers complimentary waterproof wheelchairs (including air-powered power wheelchairs), warm-water splash pad, beautiful interactive water playgrounds, cabanas for relaxing, and a river boat ride.  Spacious accessible changing rooms, reasonable ticket prices, sensory-friendly environments, and handicapped-accessible everything make this water park an incredible experience for everyone – especially those who haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy an amusement park due to physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, ambulation difficulties, or medical conditions.  Admission for those with disabilities is free of charge.  This park has truly thought of everything!

The park’s creator, Gordon Hartman, is a philanthropist who created the amusement park and water park after being inspired by his daughter Morgan, who has developmental disabilities.  In addition to funding the parks, the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation offers grants to organizations that help people with special needs.  Let’s hope that others around the country take the lead of Morgan’s Wonderland and make recreational opportunities available for everyone!

For more information, check out their video.