Discovery Museum Announces 2022 Series of Free Events for Families of Children with Disabilities
Especially for Me program, now in its twelfth year, offers free Museum access for families of children with an autism spectrum disorder, sensory issues, or vision or hearing loss.
ACTON, MA - Discovery Museum announced today the full 2022 schedule for the Especially for Me series of free events for families with children with an autism spectrum disorder, sensory disorders, or hearing or vision loss. The first event of the year, an Autism-Friendly Evening, will be held this Saturday, January 15, 5:00 to 8:00pm. Space is limited and advance registration is required at https://www.discoveryacton.org/event/autism-friendly-evening-13.
This is the twelfth year of the popular program series that offers families an opportunity to play together when the Museum is closed to the public and capacity is limited in order to improve access. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their child’s needs without concern for cost. Parents also have the chance to meet other families in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend, and mask exemptions can be requested in advance.
Discovery Museum is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and useable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability.
Special resources are available to families including noise-reducing headphones, audio-description devices, a sensory guide to the Museum, sensory-based programming, and American Sign Language (ASL) language facilitators. Additionally, dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend for all family members, but preregistration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.
2022 Event Schedule
Mornings for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants and Toddlers (closed to the public):
Mondays 9:30am to 12:30pm | March 7, October 17
Sensory-Friendly Afternoons (open to the public, but no school groups or birthday parties scheduled):
Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:30pm | February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, October 4, November 1, December 6
Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Children (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm | February 5, April 9, June 11, September 10.
Visually Impaired Family Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm | May 7, October 1
Autism-Friendly Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm | January 15, March 19, April 30, May 21, September 24, November 12, December 10
All-Access Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm | March 5, October 22
Autism-friendly events are offered in conjunction with Autism Alliance of MetroWest; events for children with hearing loss are offered in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Especially for Me is part of the museum’s Open Door Connections program to provide opportunities for those who face a variety of barriers---financial, developmental, or cultural---to experience the Museum.
Especially for Me is made possible by Alexion Charitable Foundation and Orville W. Forté Charitable Foundation, with additional support from Corning Incorporated Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, Emerson Hospital, and Nypro, Inc.