ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – PMI Entertainment Group has unveiled their “sensory safe zone”, which will be used at certain family events at the Resch Center and the Brown County Arena.
“We saw a need in the community and want to make sure every family in our community has the opportunity to enjoy some entertainment within our facility,” says PMI Entertainment Group Client Relations Coordinator Melissa Martinson.
The safe zone will debut for Sesame Street Live November 28 and 29 at the Brown County Arena. It will also be available for Disney on Ice February 10-14 and Marvel Universe Live March 24-27 at the Resch Center.
“I have families saying I’d love to go to this kind of stuff, but so-and-so can’t handle it,” says Laurie Anderson, an Occupational Therapist for Cerebral Palsy, Inc. “This will open not only that one child, but that family to be able to go out there.”
The area is geared towards families with loved ones of any age that may be on the autism spectrum or have another mental or emotional disorder.
The soft place will be equipped with weighted blankets and therapy tools recommended by industry professionals. PMI consulted with the CP Center in Green Bay to assess the space and offer recommendations on furnishings.
“In hopes that they can have a positive experience here and once they have that, it will allow them to grow from there, to maybe sit up in the show the whole time,” said Anderson.
Noise canceling head phones and sunglasses will also be available for check-out in the zone as many times these items will allow the person to cope and overcome their anxiety. Also, PMI worked with show promoters to run a live feed when possible so the performance can be viewed from the sensory safe zone.
They will also make available a script of the show’s special effects that can be shared with families prior to the event.
“Explaining the special effects and triggers,” says Martinson. “So they will have ample opportunity to leave their seats prior to their specific trigger.”
There is no fee to use the zone and it can be accessed at any time. More events could be added in the future depending upon the demand and types of events.
