BROOKFIELD – Families who have a child with special needs now have two new resources that can make their visit to Brookfield Zoo even more memorable.
The zoo is working to become more inclusive to all guests, and as part of the “Zoo for All” initiative, it has opened a sensory-friendly family room and an Inclusion Resource Center at the Hamill Family Play Zoo for families who have children with disabilities.
Both spaces were completed in December, and they opened to the public in January. All of the inclusion services are free to zoo guests.
The sensory room is a small, quiet space with Wi-Fi access and sensory-support materials, like fidget toys and weighted blankets. It also has blackout curtains and dimmable lights, which can help children who are feeling overwhelmed relax and recharge.
Inclusion specialist Lauren Reeder said some children can get overstimulated by all of the activity at the zoo, and the sensory room offers a calming atmosphere.
“A visit to the zoo can sometimes be overwhelming, especially during the busy summer months, so this is a good space to go for a low-sensory environment,” she said. “This is hugely important for the zoo because one in five people in the U.S. has some type of disability, and the zoo recognizes that. It’s important for us to be accommodating for every guest who comes through our gates.”
At the Inclusion Resource Center, which is located near the play zoo entrance, guests can check out noise-reducing headphones, social stories, which describe a zoo visit in a picture-story format, and visual schedules, which help to offer structure to the day by using visual icons on a map. Reeder, who is a full-time zoo staff member, also is able to help guests with any other accommodations or requests.
“This all goes back to our mission of connecting people to wildlife and nature, and we want everyone to have a chance to experience the zoo,” she said. “Families may not use these resources, but they say that just knowing that they’re there is very helpful. Parents appreciate that the zoo recognizes that some children need accommodations.”
The zoo worked with an advisory council, made up in part by parents who have children with disabilities, on the projects. The low-sensory room and resource center were paid for by a 2.5-year grant that was awarded to the zoo by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
David Becker, senior manager of learning experiences at the Chicago Zoological Society, said the zoo has been working on making itself more welcoming to those with disabilities for “a while now.”
“We’re focused on how we can develop relationships with people and nature,” he said. “We’re trying to meet the needs of everyone that we serve. We want to make all of our programs more inclusive, and the sensory room is a continuation of our initiative. And we’ve gotten a very positive response so far. Some families who’ve never come to the zoo are coming now because they know they have resources and support and that they’re welcomed here.”
Brookfield Zoo also offers Family Fun Saturdays specifically for children on the autism spectrum, where they can play in the Hamill Family Play Zoo in the morning while enjoying crafts, animal yoga and live animal demonstrations with additional support from zoo staff and volunteers from Easter Seals.
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Know more
For information about all the inclusion resources and services available at Brookfield Zoo, visit czs.org.