JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Every person, regardless of intellectual disabilities, should have the opportunity to enjoy everything Jacksonville offers.
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With April being World Autism Month, News4JAX has compiled a list of sensory-friendly attractions around Jacksonville.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Each Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., lighting and sound will be modified to accommodate visitors with sensory processing considerations. Sensory-inclusive hours are open to all visitors.
The third Friday of each month is Family Sensory Night at MOSH. Families and individuals are invited to enjoy exclusive access to explore the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment with modified sound and lighting, featured vendors and service providers, and a “Sensory Room.”
iFLY All Abilities Program
The first Monday of every month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., iFLY offers individuals with physical or cognitive challenges the opportunity to indoor skydive. Highly trained instructors help with everything from putting on a flight suit to soaring through the air.
Who can indoor skydive?
Cognitive Challenges: Traits of children or adults with cognitive challenges who can indoor skydive are neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, autism and learning disabilities, neurologic disorders including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, and mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and PSD.
Physical challenges: Traits of children or adults with physical challenges who can indoor skydive are partial sight or blindness, partial paralysis such as paraplegia or quadriplegia, physical deformities and amputees, and those with limited mobility due to other reasons. Request more information here.
Jacksonville Zoo
In April 2019, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens partnered with KultureCity, which works to support people with special needs, to become certified as a sensory-inclusive organization. Sensory bags for guests feeling overwhelmed during a Zoo visit are available at the Train Booth. Each bag has noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards.
Jacksonville Icemen’s Community First Igloo becomes first of its kind to earn autism certification
The Jacksonville Icemen’s Community First Igloo just became the first hockey team sports venue to earn Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation, according to a release.
The certification provides families with reassurance that they can enjoy their visit to their fullest by having access to more accommodations and options if experience sensory overload or have other needs during their visit. The staff has also been trained to ensure the team has a better understanding of visitor needs and tools and resources to assist. Click here to read more.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCA Autism Creates: While children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) struggle with verbal communication, social relations, and sensory development, creative art-making activities enable them to foster new means of self-expression and communication, Downtown Jacksonville said. The Autism Creates program harnesses art and art-making activities to promote expression and social interaction among children with ASD and their teachers, caregivers, and peers. Monthly workshops are hosted on-site at MOCA Jacksonville for up to 10 children with ASD and their families. Families will explore the galleries, create art, and participate in sensory activities.
Monthly workshops are hosted on-site at MOCA Jacksonville for up to 10 children with ASD and their families on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend but space is limited and registration is required.
For more information, contact mocaeducation@unf.edu.
For a full list of certified destinations, click here.
Did we miss a sensory-friendly attraction? Let us know in the comments section below.