Sensory-Friendly Events and Outings for Families in Stark County
Apr 01, 2024
The Stark County area offers a wide range of accessible, fun outings for families seeking sensory-friendly experiences. Some are offered daily at attractions, while others are special events throughout the year, we encourage you to take a look!
Their journey to become an accessible museum for ALL, means removing barriers to learning and providing ways for audiences to engage in the museum space in a multitude of ways.
The MassMu Sensory Room is a devoted 468-square-foot space on the lower level of the museum. This unique room is an adaptable space for museum guests with vision, auditory, physical, and cognitive disorders. It is open during all museum hours as a free and accessible space for any museum visitor, yet outfitted specifically for individuals with the aforementioned disabilities in mind. The Room is sensory-friendly, with adjustable elements alterable to individual preference, such as sound and lighting levels.
Because of the generous support of Puffin Foundation West, Ltd., the Museum now has a calming place for not only individuals with sensory challenges, but also caregivers with over-stimulated toddlers, mothers who need to breastfeed, and any other guests who may need the room for personal reasons. The Sensory Room is a flexible space serving a distinct need, and we are honored to offer it as a safe haven for all. Amenities include multiple modes of seating, a yoga ball and mat, a weighted blanket, a sound machine, an eye mask, noise-canceling headphones, a tactile felt and Lego wall, sensory toys, and wheelchair-accessible sensory bins.
The sensory room is available to the public upon request at the front desk in the lobby!
Hearing induction loops are to people with hearing aids what Wi-Fi is to computers and cell phones. Hearing Induction Loops bring those who wear hearing aids back into the sound environments in which they need and want to participate.
In other words, there are many places where hearing is challenging and those environments make it difficult or impossible for people with an aided hearing handicap to hear. These individuals will either have a difficult time hearing in or avoid these environments. About 75% of hearing aids provided are equipped with a telephone coil or “T Coil.” When the T Coil is engaged, background noise can be reduced and the desired sound is sent directly to the hearing aid T Coil, and to the wearers hearing prescription. This enables the hearing aid wearer to hear performances and speakers clearly without environmental noise.
Sensory Cinema is a theatre experience tailored to patrons with sensory processing disorders and their families. Lights are dimmed, the sound is lower, and dietary-sensitive offerings are available at the concession stand. Showtimes are at 6:30 PM, Box Office and doors open at 6:00 PM. General admission is $2. See the 2023 sensory cinema summer schedule down below.
- June 19 | Soul
- June 26 | Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
- July 3 | DC League of Super-Pets
- July 10 | Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
- July 17 | Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
- July 24 | Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- July 31 | Encanto
- August 7 | Turning Red
CMA has partnered with KultureCity to improve its ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. CMA strives to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our Team Members with continuous training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.
The Canton Museum of Art offers sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources that are available at no cost (by leaving an ID) at their Guest Services Booth located at the front desk.
Additionally, Weighted Lap Pads are also available upon request at no cost (by leaving an ID) at the Guest Services Booth as well. CMA also has a quiet space available for any guests in need of a stimulation break. The Education Space is another outler with art supplies, light tables, play figures, and more.
The HOF sensory bags are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, nonverbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads for use during a visit. The bags are available at the Guest Service Office at no charge. A dedicated quiet zone is also available for guests who need a calmer environment.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame also offers American sign language tours for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. An ASL interpreter will be on hand for tours on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The hour-long “Insider Tours” provide guests with interesting information about the artifacts and exhibits that cannot be learned otherwise!
Guests who are blind or have low vision are welcome to request a Hall of Fame Touch Tour. This special program allows guests to explore the Pro Football Hall of Fame through their sense of touch. A docent will assist the visitors through the galleries, providing detailed descriptions and tactile football pieces to experience. Please request your Touch Tour a week in advance.
Service animals are welcome at the museum.
Guests who feel overwhelmed by the environment will be able to request sensory bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads during their visit. The sensory bags will be available to all guests at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, located on the south side, upper concourse; in Play-Action Plaza, located in the back hallway of Halftime Concessions; in the Fan Engagement Zone, in the hallway leading to the restrooms; and in the Center for Performance, in the pre-function space near the Kempthorn Motors display—all areas will be clearly marked and are free of charge. Guests will also have access to a dedicated quiet zone for those who may need a calmer and more secure environment.
The certification process required the Hall of Fame Village staff to be trained by leading medical professionals to recognize and accommodate guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions often experience sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which is typical of an environment in a destination like the Hall of Fame Village. With its new certification, the Hall of Fame Village reinforces its commitment to providing the highest level of customer service in all that it does and is now well-equipped to support guests with sensory sensitivities ensuring that they have the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.
The Sensory Room at Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is located in the expanded concourse just before Gate 5. The Sensory Room is filled with items to can help lessen sensory overload for travelers.
The inclusive, accessible-to-all play space allows families and caregivers with children of all abilities to play together.
Getting on and off the water can be tricky and unstable, an adaptive launch makes entering and exiting the boat easier with a pullout bench above the kayak seat, continued hand rail, and rollers for launching.
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Massillon Museum
121 Lincoln Way E Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 833-4061 Website
Canton Palace Theatre
605 Market Ave. N Canton, Ohio 44702 (330) 454-8172 Website
Canton Museum of Art
1001 Market Ave. N Canton, Ohio 44702 (330) 453-7666 Website
Pro Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Dr. NW Canton, Ohio 44708 (330) 456-8207 Website
Sky Zone Belden Village
4381 Whipple Ave. NW Canton, Ohio 44718 (330) 538-8300 Website