Tampa Bay Edition — Volume II, Issue II 3
The Museum Of Science and Industry
(MOSI) has been among the first in the
Tampa Bay Community to develop accommodations
and programming with
the intent to make its venue more accessible
and enjoyable for those with developmental
disabilities. For the past decade
cultural institutions like MOSI, all over the
country, have been reaching out to families
and experts to see how they can better
accommodate those with autism and other
disabilities.
“We really focus on the experience for all
our guests”, says MOSI’s Chief Operating
Officer Rob Lamke. “If part of an experience
can cause stress or overstimulation, we
want an individual and family to know beforehand.
Understanding all of our guest’s
needs is what we think will most positively
impact the experience and memorable takeaway
from MOSI.”
To help create a sensory friendly environment,
MOSI enlisted the help of some
community partners. The first connection
they made was with C.A.R.D. (Center for
Autism and Related Disabilities) at the
University of South Florida to become an
“Autism Friendly Business”. Next, MOSI
reached out to Keiser University and its
Pediatric Occupational Therapy School.
Partnering with Keiser will help MOSI
design and support programs and camps
for those with sensory needs, as well as give
the students from Keiser the opportunity
for real world practice and training. Finally,
to gain insight into support and other areas
the museum will work with Believe It and
Achieve It – Kid Pro Therapy, a clinic providing
pediatric occupational and physical
therapy as well as speech therapy.
MOSI also provides “Distract Packs”,
provided by C.A.R.D for guests at the
Guest Services Desk in the lobby. “Distract
Packs” are plastic bins full of sensory toys
and activities for children who may need to
have something to help them manage difficult
situations. Additionally, labels have
been placed on exhibits that may be loud or
create an environment sensory guests may
not enjoy.
In the future, MOSI is committed to
continuing and growing these accommodations.
Part of this effort will be to host Day
of Discovery events that will allow guests
with any disability the opportunity to experience
the museum in a calmer and quitter
environment, outside of normal operating
hours.
To find out more about MOSI and their
inclusion efforts, go to MOSI.org or call
813-987-6000.
/MOSI.org