MiSci puts on sensory-friendly event for those with special needs

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The first of an event a part of a monthly special program called 'Sensory Sunday,' was held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Museum of Innovation and Science, MiSci, on Sunday. The new program invited those of all ages with special sensory needs to experience the museum in a sensory-friendly way. The event will take place every third Sunday of each month.

To host a sensory-friendly event, the museum staff altered the museum for the day to allow for a more relaxed museum environment. The museum holds a planetarium show experience regularly, but for this special program, the lights and sounds on the museum floor are lowered, and sensory-friendly items such as weighted vests and noise-reducing headphones were given out to those who need them.

Tammie Birdwell found out about the program and attended the event on Sunday. Birdwell said she has been waiting for a sensory-friendly program to open up in the Capital Region for years.

"I'm autistic, and I have hearing sensitivities, and I can get overstimulated easily just like an autistic kid," Birdwell said. "Everywhere needs to consider that there is millions of us out here, and all we want to do is live like the rest of you, and it's hard; it's so hard. So, when a place like this takes the time and the effort, it's amazing."

Bridwell said that more interactive spaces and museums should consider having a program like 'Sensory Sunday' that has a separate space and time for those who have special sensory needs. Frank Torncello, the science communicator at MiSci, said the goal of the program is to be inclusive of those with special sensory needs in the community.

"We have certain lights a little dimmer, volumes turned down, certain lights turned off," Torncello said. "Earmuffs, weighted vests for people to use to make people feel more comfortable or relaxed."

In addition to the dimmed lighting in the planetarium and lowered volume on certain activities, a separate sensory space was also set up for those who may need to take a break from the main portion of the museum. That space had beanbag chairs, coloring materials, and even lower lighting.

Torncello said the event is for those of all ages.