Trending
The Magic City Discovery Center has announced it has been awarded a $5,000 Gibbens Memorial Grant from the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD). This grant will support the Discovery Center’s Sensory Friendly Nights, helping create more accessible, welcoming and inclusive experiences for children and families with sensory needs and disabilities.
The Discovery Center currently hosts Sensory Friendly Nights on the third Monday of each month. During these special evenings, the museum dims the lights, reduces attendance and closes louder exhibits to provide a more comfortable environment for guests who may find typical museum experiences overwhelming. With support from NDAD, the Discovery Center will be able to take these experiences a step further by providing additional sensory resources, staff training and free admission for families attending all 12 Sensory Friendly Nights throughout the year. Grant funding will help provide sensory bags filled with noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, weighted lap pads and tactile fidgets.
In addition, the grant will support training for all floor staff, equipping team members with the knowledge and tools to better assist children who may be experiencing sensory challenges. By making these resources available beyond Sensory Friendly Nights, the Discovery Center hopes to create a more supportive experience for families during regular operating hours, too.
“We want every child and family to have the opportunity to experience the magic of discovery, and we recognize that a busy, energetic environment isn’t always comfortable for everyone. This grant allows us to remove some of those barriers and provide families with the resources, support and flexibility they need to enjoy their time together. We’re incredibly grateful to NDAD for helping us make the Discovery Center a more welcoming place for everyone,” said Matthew Farnsworth, executive director of the Magic City Discovery Center, in a news release.