With KultureCity On Board, Zoo Welcomes Those With Autism

BOSTON, Ma. - It's called a Sensory Inclusive Bag, but to Chandra Miller and her 17-year-old autistic son, it's more an opportunity that didn't exist when he was growing up in Melrose.

As the New England representative for KultureCity, Miller was as the Franklin Park Zoo Tuesday to announce the zoo's participation in a national program designed to open up the world of animals to those with sensory issues. For many that means what Miller calls "invisible disabilities like autism," but also those with other sensory issues from ADHD to veterans with PTSD.

"Today is a very special day as both zoos are now sensory inclusive," said Miller, referring to both Franklin Park and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham.

Visitors with sensory issues can receive black backpacks when they enter either zoo. These Sensory Inclusive Bags contain noise canceling head phones, cue cards with symbols individuals can point too if they need help, and KC banners and necklaces to help zoo employees identify those who might need assistance.

In addition to the bags, both zoos have added signs indicating "headphone zones" as well as benches marked "quiet area." This being 2019, there's also a KultureCity app which helps preview your visit to the zoo. It's all part of making those with sensory issues feel comfortable in a place often associated with loud children and on occasion, even louder animals.

Miller was joined under the Red Oak in the Children's Zoo at Franklin Park by Cynthia Mead, Zoo New England's Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Programming.

"We just believe in inclusion and it's very important to us that we provide an opportunity for those who have sensory issues to be able to come and enjoy the zoo, just like everyone else can," said Mead. She added that zoo staff have been trained to assist guests with sensory issues.

On its website, KultureCity says it owes its existence to, "families who have worked tirelessly for acceptance and a better future for their children with autism." The Alabama-based non-profit isn't new to New England. They are already in the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island, the New England Aquarium in Boston, and the Xfinity Center in Mansfield. KultureCity is involved in more than 350 similar venues across the country. According to Miller, its first program was started in 2013 with Quicken Loans Arena, then home of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Every child deserves an equal right to do the things that everybody else does," said Miller. "Speaking personally for my son, his sensory needs caused him to not want to do a lot of things that children did in their lives. He was embarrassed, or he knew that he would be judged so he didn't want to do it."

Miller hopes there's no reason to be afraid to go to the zoo anymore.

"If children now don't have the same experience my son had growing up, for me, that's a win," said Miller. "They do love animals, and for them to be able to enjoy what a child should enjoy, that would mean the world to me. That's all I ask is that everybody can have the chance to enjoy everything."

KultureCity isn't the only autism related addition to the zoo. Franklin Park recently received a 52,000-piece puzzle of animals, put together and donated to the zoo by an autistic Marshfield man and his family. The puzzle is 23 feet long, seven feet high, and hanging inside the Tropical Forest.

As a mom and a KultureCity representative, the sensory inclusion program at the zoo is a win-win for Miller.

"Everybody deserves to enjoy what the world has to offer."