Several Sunday mornings will be slightly different over the next year at the Carnegie Science Center, as the museum institutes “Sensory Sensitive Science Hours” to accommodate visitors on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities.
The museum will limit sounds and adjust lighting in exhibit areas and will feature special activities, such as a sensory activity table sponsored by Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor in the Miniature Railroad & Village, a “Move It, Move It” live demonstration in the BodyStage sponsored by Allegheny Health Network and animal encounters in the H2Oh! Field Station sponsored by Alcosan.
Exhibits with loud noises, such as the rocket launchers, the “fart stools” in the BodyWorks exhibit and the button wall in the Little Learners exhibit will be turned off or turned down.
The first Sensory Sensitive Science Hours will occur from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 18 and future Sundays are planned in 2019 for March 17, June 16 and Oct. 20. The museum will also be open for regular admission during those times.
On Nov. 18, the museum will also do a sensory sensitive screening of the new “Grinch” movie, at an additional cost. The movie will be shown in 2D and lighting will be adjusted.
“By providing staff training and adjusting our exhibits, demonstrations and activities, we hope to create a safe, welcoming and, most of all, fun environment for all visitors,” said Carnegie Museums accessibility coach Justin Tognarine.
Mr. Tognarine said that plans are in the works to develop sensory sensitivity programming at other Carnegie Museums as well.
Anya Sostek: asostek@post-gazette.com
First Published: October 18, 2018, 4:18 p.m.
