Maritime Aquarium presents Sensory-Pleasant Night on July 26 for company with sensory-processing variations

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is planning a special evening on Monday, July 26th, to provide a fun, comfortable, and accepting environment for guests with sensory processing differences.

And thanks to the nationwide initiative, CT Summer at the Museum – Free Admission for Kids, admission is free for most Connecticut residents.

On this “sensory-friendly evening” from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, all aquarium exhibits are open, including the huge new seal habitat called “Pinniped Cove”. But the lights in galleries will be lower and music and other noises will be quieter or turned off. In addition, the tickets are discounted for guests who are not entitled to free entry.

While the Maritime Aquarium offers “Sensory-Friendly Evenings” several times a year, the date for this upcoming event – July 26th – was chosen to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights law, which prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as anyone else to participate in mainstream American life – enjoy employment opportunities, buy goods and services, and in state and local Participate in government programs and services.

Tom Naiman, the aquarium’s director of education, said there are two benefits to hosting this event after the aquarium’s normal opening hours: the aquarium staff can focus on the guests with special needs, and guests who turn down crowds will not to encounter.

As with the aquarium’s daily opening hours, admission during the Sensory-Friendly Evening on July 26th is free for Connecticut residents under the age of 18 and one companion as part of the CT Summer at the Museum program. For additional adults and non-residents, concessions are $ 19 for adults, $ 17 for seniors (65+), and $ 14 for children (3-12).

For those who want to record a film in the new 4D cinema, guests can enjoy the films with 3D glasses, but with lower sound and brighter theater light and without sensory effects. (Guests do not need to wear the 3D glasses, but without them, images on the screen will appear blurry.) Select “Shark: A 4D Experience” (12 minutes long) at 7:15 pm or “Ice Age: No” from BBC Earths Time for Nuts 4D ”(10 minutes) at 6:45 PM and 7:45 PM. Tickets for a 4D movie, which are optional, are $ 7.

As recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of Connecticut, unvaccinated guests and all children aged 2-11, except those with a medical certificate, are required to wear masks in the Maritime Aquarium. Vaccinated guests are strongly advised to continue wearing their masks.

Reserve tickets for the “Sensory-Friendly Evening” on July 26th online in advance by going to www.maritimeaquarium.org and clicking “Visit” and then “Aquarium Happenings”.

Find out more about the Free Connecticut Resident Summer Initiative here