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All Access
at Brookfield Zoo

Nature provides powerful benefits for everyone,
in particular for children with physical,
cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Studies
show that walking in natural areas and spending
time with animals can significantly enhance
concentration and increase positive social
behaviors. Unfortunately, many children with
disabilities spend their days in highly structured
indoor environments, isolated from the natural
world and their nondisabled peers.

The Chicago Zoological Society long has promoted
a conservation movement ensuring that people with
disabilities can connect with wildlife and nature and
become conservation leaders. Through our “A Zoo
for All” programming, we strive to serve as a national
model, transforming the role that institutions accred-

ited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) play in the lives of people
with disabilities.

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