As you've seen from the Seattle Seahawks and Oklahoma State Athletics more organizations are creating amazing initiatives to make sporting venues, zoos, and aquariums more autism friendly. In a recent effort by Birmingham Zoo to raise awareness for Sensory Processing Disorders, the zoo partnered with Kulture City to create a Sensory Friendly Initiative. This initiative allows the zoo grounds to become more accessible to all visitors that come to Birmingham Zoo with Sensory Processing Disorders. Each Zoo staff member had to undergo special training in order to create a welcoming experience for all and further understand families who have children on the autism spectrum.
The development of making the Zoo more autism friendly came after the “Special Needs Spooktacular” which had over 300 families who were able to enjoy the Zoo experience. In this current initiative children with autism have access to resources such as noise-canceling headphones, toys, and weighted lap pads. In addition, various areas display quiet zones and headphone zones throughout exhibits and Zoo grounds.
The cost to visit Birmingham Zoo is $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and children ages of 2-12 years old.