Many local families and families visiting Indianapolis are seeking sensory play areas or escape from sensory overload. Several sports venues and other local attractions have special accommodations for those with sensory needs. Lucas Oil Stadium is among those providing a hospitable environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivities.
The sensory room inside Lucas Oil Stadium is now officially open, just in time for a 2024 calendar packed with events including this summer’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming and the upcoming Morgan Wallen, George Strait, P!NK, the 2024 Colts Football Season and Taylor Swift concerts.
“This will be a big year for Lucas Oil Stadium with seven concert nights in one year compared to a maximum of two in any previous year, not to mention our Colts home games and Olympic Trials swimming. It’s a banner year,” said Capital Improvement Board Executive Director Andy Mallon. “We want to be sure that the Stadium is a welcoming and comfortable place for those who want to participate in these events but may need a break due to sensory issues. Having this state-of-the-art room, which was developed in close collaboration with KultureCity, allows us to offer that welcoming and comfortable place.”
The sensory room was designed in conjunction with KultureCity to cater to the needs of individuals with sensory processing needs and foster an inclusive environment that makes it possible for them to enjoy cultural and recreational venues without barriers. The room provides a personalized and calming experience incorporating several elements, sensory tools, and equipment including:
- adjustable lighting
- calming visuals
- comfortable seating
- bubble walls
- Yogibo bean bags
- Nunoerin sparkle
In addition to the room’s physical elements, Lucas Oil Stadium staff are trained by leading professionals on how to recognize guests and fans with sensory needs and assist with a sensory overload situation.
“Every guest who walks through our gates is welcome at Lucas Oil Stadium,” said Lucas Oil Stadium Director Eric Neuburger. “Our team is prepared to serve those with sensory needs and this new sensory room is our newest amenity to make every experience great.”
Sensory bags equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads will continue to be available to all guests at Lucas Oil Stadium who may feel overwhelmed by the environment but want to remain in their seats.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Capital Improvement Board on the introduction of a new sensory room inside Lucas Oil Stadium,” said KultureCity® Executive Director Uma Srivastava. “At KultureCity®, our mission is to create a world where everyone, regardless of their sensory needs, can fully enjoy and participate in community experiences. This sensory room represents a crucial step towards inclusivity, providing a welcoming space where individuals with sensory sensitivities can engage with their surroundings comfortably. We applaud the Capital Improvement Board for their dedication to fostering an inclusive environment, and we are confident that this initiative will have a positive impact on the lives of many in the community.”
Prior to attending an event, families and individuals can download the free KultureCity®App, which shows available sensory features and where they can be accessed and a preview of what to expect while enjoying an event.
The sensory room is fully accessible and accommodates individuals of all abilities and ages. It is located at the southwest entrance on street level and will be open for all public events.
The Capital Improvement Board (CIB) is a municipal corporation of Marion County created in 1965 by the Indiana General Assembly under the provisions of Indiana Code 36-10-9, and authorized by the statute to finance, construct, equip, operate, and maintain any capital facilities or improvements of general public benefit or welfare which promote and serve the commercial, industrial and cultural interests of Indiana and its citizens. The Board may assist, cooperate, and fund governmental, public, and private agencies and groups for these purposes. The CIB operates and/or owns the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Victory Field, Virginia Avenue Parking Garage, and Hudnut Commons, all located in downtown Indianapolis.
KultureCity®, established in 2014, is a dynamic non-profit organization at the forefront of the inclusivity movement that continues to make waves in creating a more accessible and accepting world for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities (found in 1 in 4 of us). In a short 10 years, a few highlights of KultureCity’s impact include making over 1,800 venues sensory-inclusive certified, handing out almost a million sensory bags to individuals in need, making over 150 live events sensory-inclusive, and saving 48 lives through the KultureCity® First Responder Training. KultureCity’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond physical spaces. The organization actively collaborates with influential figures, businesses, and communities to promote awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities. KultureCity® partners with event industry leaders like NFL, NBA, MLB and FIFA to make their flagship events sensory inclusive. With ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and a passionate community of supporters, KultureCity® is set to leave an enduring impact on the landscape of inclusivity.