New York State Museum Hosts Sensory-Friendly Learning and Discovery Event in Partnership With “Bring on the Spectrum” for Neurodiverse Families

Media Contact:
JP O'Hare
(518) 474-1201
[email protected]
www.nysed.gov

On November 16, the New York State Museum welcomed 100 neurodiverse children and their families for a special day dedicated to creating sensory-friendly and engaging learning experiences. Organized in collaboration with the not-for-profit organization Bring on the Spectrum (BOTS), the event featured tailored activities designed to foster inclusivity, comfort, and engagement for all participants.

As part of a weekend of sensory-friendly programming sponsored by BOTS across Albany, the State Museum offered hands-on artifact exploration, special exhibit tours, science-based activities, and behind-the-scenes "sneak peaks" to explore how exhibits are created. The weekend's activities aimed to provide accessible experiences for families, enhance community support for audience members, and promote awareness of neurodiversity within the community.

Highlights from the Museum's Sensory-Friendly Programming included:

• Special rides on the iconic New York State Museum Carousel
• Interactive exploration of People of the Longhouse
• Hands-on fun in the Adirondack Animals Discovery Space
• VIP tour of the Ice Ages exhibit
• Collaborative STEM activity: Skyscrapers Build
• A sensory-adapted "baking" experience inspired by New Netherland "Cookjes"
  

New York State Museum Director of Community Engagement & Education Kathryn Weller said, "We were thrilled to collaborate with BOTS to offer programming that makes the New York State Museum more inclusive for neurodiverse children and their families. With the great success of programming throughout this special weekend, we are excited to create more ways for visitors to feel welcome and comfortable while they are here. We look forward to offering more inclusive collaborations to support our diverse communities."

"We are proud to partner with the NYS Museum on a sensory-friendly weekend in Albany County," said Bring on the Spectrum founder Lisa Audi. "They are our lead partner welcoming out-of-towners to the Capital Region. And we look forward to future collaborative opportunities with them and appreciate their interest in inclusion."

For more information on the full weekend of events and other community partners, please visit Travel to Albany - Bring on the Spectrum.

About the Cultural Education Center

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State's rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 480 million years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website.

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. Visit the New York State Library website for a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please subscribe to the quarterly newsletter.  

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York's State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York's history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website.  

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program, history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more. 

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.  

About Bring on the Spectrum

Bring on the Spectrum is a 501(c)(3). Whose mission is to support neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals with opportunities to achieve their best quality of life as a respected member of the Capital Region. They achieve this through social, recreational and lifestyle activities for individuals of all ages and abilities. For more information, please visit Bring on the Spectrum.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.