Sensory processing disorder is something that a lot of us don’t realize exists, and when we do, we take it for granted that it doesn’t affect us. For people with SPD, the loud noises and crowds at a Major League Baseball game can make it impossible to attend without endless stress.
To solve this issue, the Cleveland Indians have partnered with KultureCity — an Alabama-based non-profit that focuses on making large venues and locations across the country more accessible to those with Autism or other SPD’s — to make Progressive Field just the third MLB stadium to be “certified sensory inclusive,” along with the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals.
With this new partnership, Progressive Field now includes several amenities for those with sensory challenges. From their official blog post on the announcement:
Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will also be available to all guests at the ballpark who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Sensory bags can be checked out from Fan Services at sections 153 and 550.
There will also be designated “quite spaces” within Progressive Field for fans to get away from the hustle and bustle of a major league game.
Good on the Indians for doing this (and the Tigers and Nationals before them) — everyone deserves to see Francisco Lindor’s smile in person once in a while.
Now it’s time for other teams to step up and do the same.