Mystic Aquarium Announces Autism Night on Heels of KultureCity Certification

For the seventh year, Mystic Aquarium is proud to host an Evening for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm. This sensory sensitive evening is free for pre-registered families or groups with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing challenges and features a quiet area, supportive staff and access to select Aquarium exhibits.
 
The 2019 event comes on the heels of an important initiative for Mystic Aquarium with the certification of the facility through KultureCity.
 
In addition to Aquarium-wide staff training, the Aquarium is now able to offer resources throughout the year; improving the ability to accommodate guests with sensory needs.  An on-site check-out service allows guests in need to borrow KultureCity’s sensory bags that include important tools like sound-cancelling headphones and fidget items. The Yale New Haven Health Family Lounge and First Aid Center will now also serve as a quiet area. Campus signage also helps guests identify what resources are available and where they are located.
 
“We are so proud to have the opportunity to develop this partnership to help children on the autism spectrum enjoy their day with us,” said Kelly Matis, Vice President of Education and Conservation.
 
KultureCity is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that is quickly gaining ground with the goal of rethinking accessibility in order to create acceptance and inclusion for all individuals with unique abilities.
 
The Aquarium will continue to offer our special evening events like an Evening for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum where children and families will have the opportunity to explore the Aquarium’s indoor and outdoor habitats including beluga whales, seals and sea lions while discovering hundreds of other vibrant fish and sea life. All sound and motion will be disengaged in Jurassic Giants: A Dinosaur Adventure to allow for a sensory sensitive experience.
 
Sting Ray Touch, Foxwoods Marine Theater, Boomerang Island, 4-D Theater and Blue Theater will not be operational that evening.
 
Registration is required for this event and is available by clicking on Upcoming Events at MysticAquarium.org.
 
“For many, the challenges they face daily are not obvious, as their perception of our world is very different and can be intimidating or even scary, making accessibility to the community a challenge,” added Matis.  “Awareness is simply not enough; with accessibility comes a new culture- a much-needed new culture.”
 
About Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Aquarium, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums, offering exemplary care to a variety of species while also serving as the northeast’s premier marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center. Robust conservation and education programming along with unparalleled visitor experiences serve to strengthen personal connections to the animals and their environments. The mission of Mystic Aquarium is to inspire people to care for and protect the ocean planet through conservation, education and research, and introduces approximately 800,000 guests annually to thousands of animals through structured interpretations, specially-curated exhibits and hands-on interactions. As a leading research organization, Mystic Aquarium employs a full staff of scientists engaged in projects focused on the conservation and sustainability of our ocean planet.