Elsewhere, at CenturyLink Field, home to the NFL’s
Seattle Seahawks, its A-OK Sensory Room project was
also conceived due to a personal connection. It was led
by Traci Schneider, the wife of the Seahawks’ general
manager John, whose son was diagnosed with autism
15 years ago. “We want to be a stadium where our fans
feel welcome, and give them a space and an
opportunity, if they are getting overwhelmed,” said
Traci. “We all know that CenturyLink is very loud and
very high sensory—so we wanted to give them a space
to have that moment and to come back down so they
can rejoin our gameday and be part of it.”
INCLUSIVITY
It’s the latest in a series of initiatives to help affected
fans feel more comfortable at CenturyLink Field. In
2015, for example, the Seattle Seahawks Women’s
Association partnered with A-OK Autism in to provide
toolkits for fans on the autism spectrum and an “I’m
A-OK” identifier badge. “I love where we’re all going
and what we’re all doing and how we’re all trying to be
a little bit more inclusive and supportive to all of our
fans,” says Schneider, referring to the whole movement
within the league to support and raise awareness of
sensory needs.
One eye on the action
Location is one variable in the creation of these
inclusion rooms, with some having views onto the
playing surface, but others are windowless. In the case
of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium, good
fortune meant that the ‘Charlie Perry Inclusion Room’
had a great view of the Premier League soccer team’s
playing surface.
“The room was originally a catering kiosk, but
when we established a bigger catering kiosk on the tier
above, the room became available,” recalls Sarah Gould,
supporter liaison officer at the club. “We identified it as
perfect, because there is an unrestricted view of the
pitch, so we set about converting it into the room.”
The investment in the room was around US$64,000
– it’s a purpose-built facility with wheelchair access via
a platform as well as seating outside the room for fans.
Essentially a collaboration between Brighton and Hove
IN THE BANK
The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings have gone to extra efforts to ensure
all fans enjoy gameday by opening a sensory room at U.S. Bank
Stadium for individuals with additional needs.
Already one of the most advanced venues in the league, the
facility will now offer a quiet, safe and soothing space for fans with
autism, Down syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia
and other conditions.
Located on the upper concourse near the southwest escalator
behind section 346, the 6ft by 12ft, sound-protected room includes
a sensory active wall display, sensory toys, low lighting, bean bag
chairs and sensory bags. The Vikings official science partner 3M
has provided ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones for
those who enter the space. A single-use bathroom is connected
directly to the room. The quiet retreat will have two licensed
behavioral specialists for every Vikings home game.
www.stadia-magazine.com March 2020 35
Pic: Minnesota Vikings
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