Here at Port Discovery, we strive to maintain an inclusive environment where children of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles can play and learn with their caregivers and classmates. There are a few key steps that we have taken to ensure our museum experiences are designed to meet the needs of all of our visitors, including those from neurodiverse backgrounds.
- Before you visit, check out the Social Stories on our website. These resources provide all of our visitors, but particularly those with disabilities and special needs, with ideas and images about what to expect when they visit Port Discovery.
- When you arrive, please consult our museum map, which includes information about the sensory environment of each exhibit so that visitors may make choices in the museum that best meet their needs.
- When you enter the museum, look for our Sensory Cart. This resource provides visitors with tools to assist with sensory sensitivity needs while they are in the museum. The carts provide weighted vests and blankets, noise cancelling headphones, fidgets, timers to support transitions, and other helpful items.
- For sensory seeking visitors, our exhibit spaces engage our senses through sight, sound, and touch in a range of ways. For our sensory sensitive visitors, we offer spaces on each floor that offer a more quiet and calming environment.
- The third Sunday of every month is Sensory Friendly Sunday at Port Discovery. From 9-11 a.m. we adjust our museum environment through reduced noise and lighting, and offer activities that will appeal to all young learners, but particularly those with sensory sensitivity needs. We also offer Tuesday afternoons as opportunities to visit the museum with special sensory accommodations.
We are always open to your ideas and feedback, so please feel free to use our museum survey form to provide your input about your experience in our museum, particularly if your family includes children who are neurodiverse learners.