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“A ZOO FOR ALL” UPDATE
On a recent afternoon at This is just one of the many stories that staff have heard from zoo guests
Brookfield Zoo, a mother and in the past few months. In 2018, the Chicago Zoological Society expanded our
daughter were visiting HAMILL “A Zoo for All” initiative (which provides support for our guests with disabilities)
FAMILY PLAY ZOO. The daughter is by adding this Sensory-Friendly Family Room to the P Z, along with an
inclusion resource center. One in five Americans has a disability, according to the
now in her teens, but over U.S. Census Bureau—this means that the P Z, which serves more than
the years, the PLAY ZOO has 300,000 visitors annually, may have as many as 60,000 guests each year with some
remained a favorite part of this level of a physical, cognitive, or sensory disability. These permanent additions to
family’s trips to the zoo. Despite the P Z aim to make sure all zoo guests truly feel included and welcome on
loving this corner of the zoo, their visits.
the daughter sometimes The Sensory-Friendly Family Room includes several options for comfortable
becomes overstimulated in seating, a dimmable light switch, and a door that closes it off completely from
this bustling environment. the rest of the P Z. It’s a calming, safe, and convenient place for children
with sensory processing disorders to de-escalate before returning to their zoo visit.
During this particular visit, The inclusion resource center includes noise-reducing headphones, visual schedules,
she did become overstimulated and more.
and needed a moment to Even if visitors with disabilities don’t need to use the resources or Sensory-
regroup—which is when staff Friendly Family Room on a particular visit, just knowing they’re there and available
has helped many guests feel more comfortable during trips to the zoo, said Lauren
pointed her to the new Reeder, the Society’s inclusion specialist.
Sensory-Friendly Family Room.
After spending a few minutes “These additions have had an amazing impact, which has extended even further
than we initially imagined,” Reeder said. “In addition to having many guests
decompressing in this room, who regularly utilize these features, both spaces have also prompted a lot more
she was ready for more fun and discussions among all zoo guests, which really helps promote the inclusion mindset
that is so important—it really makes ‘A Zoo for All’ more than just a name.”
was so thankful she did not
have to end her zoo trip early. This project was made possible in part by Institute of Museum and Library Services
Grant #MA-10-16-0053-16.█
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CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | 2018 IMPACT REPORT
