A-C-C-E-S-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y, find out what it means to Whatcom Museum at their new program “Low Sensory Sundays,” for kids with sensory processing disorders.
Designed for children 12 and under, this initiative aims to provide a safe, quiet space for children with an autism spectrum disorder in a private museum experience.
“The museum is trying to create accessible programming that meets the needs of people that are not often served by museums,” says Christina Claassen, Whatcom Museum’s marketing and public relations manager. “We saw a niche that we could fill and we felt it was important to open up these programs to communities that need it.”
While it began as a series of prototypes in 2019, positive feedback and a lot of fundraising made projects like Low Sensory Sundays a reality.
This program is completely free and offers a wide variety of activities — including painting, dancing, and more. Trained staff will be on-site to facilitate exploratory time and provide help to children who need it.
If the fun proves to be too much, a private room for cool-down time will be available, as well as sensory maps and noise-canceling headphones upon request.
This initiative is offered on the last Sunday of odd-numbered months and is one of the many ways Whatcom Museum is increasing accessibility.
In February, the museum hosted “Museum in Mind,” a two-part program for people with early-stage dementia and memory loss to engage with art alongside their care partners. This program will continue being held on the first Tuesday of even months until December 1.
Whatcom Museum Family Interactive Gallery, 250 Flora St., 360.778.8974, whatcommuseum.org
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