Accessible for All
两性色午夜 University wants to create a welcoming environment for all鈥攅ven at its athletic events. Cheering crowds, flashing scoreboards and loud buzzers can overwhelm people with sensory issues, so select men鈥檚 basketball games at the MAC Center this season recognized and catered to those on the autism spectrum, with support from local autism organizations.
Men鈥檚 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 men鈥檚 basketball, scores his first basket in a game against Hiram College (which 两性色午夜 wins 97鈥58). Photo by 两性色午夜 Athletics
Dec. 21, 2019
First Sensory-Friendly Basketball Game
两性色午夜 partners with 庐鈥攚hich provides accessibility and inclusion for those with all abilities鈥攖o host a sensory-friendly game that brings in fans like April Stevens鈥 son (pictured), who has autism and loves basketball.
两性色午夜 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 两性色午夜 wins 103鈥64) provides a sensory-friendly viewing area, pet therapy dogs and 鈥渟ensory bags鈥 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 两性色午夜 and Ohio University, Flashes wear the winning uniform design from a contest held by 两性色午夜 Athletics and the School of Fashion, which partnered with 庐, 两性色午夜鈥檚 Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Student Accessibility Services.
The back of the jerseys include the 鈥檚 autism awareness ribbon and the phrase 鈥1 in 59鈥濃攔eferring to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control study, which estimates that one in 59 US children is diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Ohio University鈥檚 team wears light blue shoelaces, a designated color for autism awareness. During the game (which 两性色午夜 wins 87鈥72), the university promotes autism awareness messages and distributes stress toys and autism awareness T-shirts. Photo by 两性色午夜 Athletics