On Tuesday, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and KultureCity announced a new partnership that makes all events hosted within Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field and Coca-Cola Coliseum sensory inclusive.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions, which affect one in six people.
The certification process requires staff at all three venues to be trained on recognizing guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. The tools include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads to assist all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.
“MLSE prides itself on providing best-in-class experiences at our venues, which includes ensuring that all fans, no matter their accommodation requirement, can enjoy our live events,” Caroline Wright, Vice President, Venue & Operations at MLSE, said in a statement.
“Through our partnership with KultureCity, we are furthering our commitment to make our venues inclusive to all fans.”
KultureCity is a non-profit organization designed to help sporting events such as the NFL Pro-Bowl, NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series, and MLB All-Star Weekend become sensory inclusive.
“Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that MLSE is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing. We’re honored to partner with MLSE to provide a truly inclusive experience for all fans,” Uma Srivastava, Executive Director at KultureCity, said.