For the last several years, the Hattiesburg Zoo has hosted Sensory Sunday for the estimated one in six individuals who are afflicted with a sensory need or invisible disability – including medical conditions in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.
This year’s Sensory Sunday will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 11 at the zoo, where staff will work to make the zoo and its inhabitants as calm and quiet as possible. To help put on the event, zoo officials work with KultureCity, one of America’s leading nonprofit organizations on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities.
“There is a large community – not only of children, but also adults – who have special sensory needs,” said Lisa Conn, communications consultant for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which runs the zoo. “Loud noises bother them; over-stimulation bothers them.
“So a lot of children – whether they’re autistic, or maybe they’re not even diagnosed with a specific situation – they’re just sensitive to noise and activities and over-stimulation. It’s very important for the zoo to be able to ensure that every individual can enjoy the zoo and what it has to offer.”
The staff at the zoo has been trained by professionals to recognize guests with sensory needs, as well as how to handle any sensory overload situations that may occur. During Sensory Sunday, officials will offer sensory activities, quiet train rides, animal encounters and reduced sound volume at some exhibits.
Sensory bags – which include items such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads – will be provided to help engage individuals.
In addition, four different quiet areas and five headphone zones will be offered within the zoo. There is no additional charge for Sensory Sunday, as regular zoo admission rates apply.
“The zoo certainly appeals to people of all ages, but particularly to young children,” Conn said. “And parents who have children with these types of needs want their children to be able to enjoy attractions that every other child can enjoy.
“So they’re very appreciative to make these extra steps. The sensory bags are available in the gift shop, and we just ask that if someone is going to get one of the bags, they can just leave their ID with us, and they can pick it up when they return their sensory bag at the end of their visit.”
The Hattiesburg Zoo was the first attraction in Mississippi to be certified as a sensory inclusive location by KultureCity.
“I hope that people understand the lengths that zoo staff go to, to make sure that people of all needs and all ages are able to enjoy what the zoo has to offer,” Conn said.
As with other general admission days, zoo officials will adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations set forward by the Centers for Disease Control.
“We have asked people to bring a mask also, so where they are not able to social distance they would have that mask with them,” Conn said. “It will be business as usual, with special attention to our guests with sensory needs.”
