Accessible for All
¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ wants to create a welcoming environment for allâeven at its athletic events. Cheering crowds, flashing scoreboards and loud buzzers can overwhelm people with sensory issues, so select menâs basketball games at the MAC Center this season recognized and catered to those on the autism spectrum, with support from local autism organizations.
Menâs basketball highlights include:
Nov. 6, 2019
Celebrating Kalin Bennett
Freshman center Bennett, believed to be the first freshman diagnosed with autism to sign a national letter of intent to play Division 1 menâs basketball, scores his first basket in a game against Hiram College (which ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ wins 97â58). Photo by ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Athletics
Dec. 21, 2019
First Sensory-Friendly Basketball Game
¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ partners with ®âwhich provides accessibility and inclusion for those with all abilitiesâto host a sensory-friendly game that brings in fans like April Stevensâ son (pictured), who has autism and loves basketball.
¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ staffers receive training to help those who may feel anxious, and the MAC Center is now a certified sensory-inclusive venue.
The game against Hampton University (which ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ wins 103â64) provides a sensory-friendly viewing area, pet therapy dogs and âsensory bagsâ to borrow that contain noise-canceling headphones, fidget activity toys and communication cards for nonverbal individuals. Photo by Kabir Bhatia, WKSU-FM
Feb. 15, 2020
Autism Awareness Basketball Game
In a game between ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ and Ohio University, Flashes wear the winning uniform design from a contest held by ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Athletics and the School of Fashion, which partnered with ®, ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍâs Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Student Accessibility Services.
The back of the jerseys include the âs autism awareness ribbon and the phrase â1 in 59ââreferring to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control study, which estimates that one in 59 US children is diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Ohio Universityâs team wears light blue shoelaces, a designated color for autism awareness. During the game (which ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ wins 87â72), the university promotes autism awareness messages and distributes stress toys and autism awareness T-shirts. Photo by ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Athletics