Sensory-Friendly Events and Outings for Families in Stark County

Apr 08, 2022

The greater Canton 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 museums 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 guest 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, yoga ball and mat, weighted blanket, sound machine, eye mask, noise-canceling headphones, a tactile felt and Lego wall, sensory toys, and wheelchair-accessible sensory bins.

The sensory room is temporarily closed for cleaning, but if needed make a request to the front desk attendant.

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, sound is lower, and dietary sensitive offerings are available in the concession stand. Showtimes are at 6:30 PM, Box Office and doors open at 6:00 PM. General admission is $2. See the 2022 sensory cinema summer schedule below.

  • June 13 | Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • June 20 | Clifford the Big Red Dog
  • June 27 | Coco
  • July 11 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • July 18 | My Neighbor Totoro
  • July 25 | Paw Patrol: The Movie
  • August 1 | Sing 2
  • August 8 | Inside Out

Sensory Inclusive Jump Times

Enjoy the freedom of jumping! SkyZone Belden Village offers sensory hours every last Sunday of the month between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.

The HOF sensory bags are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal 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 behind 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 though 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.

Sensory Garden at Beech Creek Gardens

The Beech Creek Gardens are open between April and October. The sensory garden was designed to stimulate the senses of adults, children, and especially the handicapped, this raised bed Sensory Garden provides experiences with plants for heightened sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste.

More to Explore

Willis Brienza

Author

Willis Brienza

Creative Coordinator

Willis Brienza is the Creative Coordinator for Visit Canton. He enjoys movies, music, sports, and spending time with friends and family! Willis resides in Alliance with his fiance, Rosie, and their two dogs! Have an update or comment about the blog? Reach out at willisb@visitcanton.com.
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