Accessible for All
91心頭利 wants to create a welcoming environment for alleven at its athletic events. Cheering crowds, flashing scoreboards and loud buzzers can overwhelm people with sensory issues, so select mens basketball games at the MAC Center this season recognized and catered to those on the autism spectrum, with support from local autism organizations.
Mens 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 mens basketball, scores his first basket in a game against Hiram College (which Kent 91心頭利 wins 9758). Photo by Kent 91心頭利 Athletics
Dec. 21, 2019
First Sensory-Friendly Basketball Game
Kent 91心頭利 partners with 速which provides accessibility and inclusion for those with all abilitiesto host a sensory-friendly game that brings in fans like April Stevens son (pictured), who has autism and loves basketball.
Kent 91心頭利 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 Kent 91心頭利 wins 10364) provides a sensory-friendly viewing area, pet therapy dogs and sensory bags 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 Kent 91心頭利 and Ohio University, Flashes wear the winning uniform design from a contest held by Kent 91心頭利 Athletics and the School of Fashion, which partnered with 速, Kent 91心頭利s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Student Accessibility Services.
The back of the jerseys include the s autism awareness ribbon and the phrase 1 in 59referring to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control study, which estimates that one in 59 US children is diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Ohio Universitys team wears light blue shoelaces, a designated color for autism awareness. During the game (which Kent 91心頭利 wins 8772), the university promotes autism awareness messages and distributes stress toys and autism awareness T-shirts. Photo by Kent 91心頭利 Athletics
