10 minute read

Local Events

BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD — PUBLISHING ASSISTANT AND LOCAL EVENTS

Visit a Museum through Museums for All

Due to COVID-19, many museums participating in Museums for adjusted their hours and ticket policies. Before visiting a museum, call or check their website to are open or require advance Many museums are offering resources—check your local website for more information. Through Museums for receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 throughout the United States by presenting their EBT card photo ID. Check here for participating museums. https://museums4all.org/

Museums

Impression 5

Sept. 18, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm, Sept. 29, 9:30 am- 11:30 am

Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr., Lansing, MI 48933

Explore your Science Center with select exhibits altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli. Guests can expect a limited building capacity, pop-up activity, and map designating the sensory experiences in each exhibit. Thank you to MiABLE for supporting Sensory Friendly. 

Admission: Regular admission prices apply. Free for members.

https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/event/sensory-friendly-hours/2024-03-20/

Abrams Planetarium

Sensory Friendly Shows

Check website for upcoming movie times and dates. the Fall schedule will be posted in late August.

755 Science Road, East Lansing, MI, United States

These shows will run with the lights up, the sound down, and the theater doors open so people can move about as needed. We also provide a place to “chill out” in our lobby. All shows include a live star talk about what is up in the sky that night. We will include a short break between the main show and the star talk. Information about what to expect during the show will be provided when you purchase tickets.

Cost: Adults, $5.50, Students and senior citizens, $5.00, Children (age 12 and under), $4.50Friends of Abrams Planetarium Members, FreeFree with Museums For All (with valid EBT, Medicaid, or WIC card and photo ID)

https://www.abramsplanetarium.org/Programs/Sensory.html

Ella Sharp Museum

Sensory Time

Every Saturday at 9:00 am

3225 4th Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203

During Sensory Friendly Hours, the Ella Sharp Museum will open its galleries at 9 a.m., an hour before the museum opens to the public. Families with members who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have other sensory processing disorders or cognitive disabilities are welcome to visit the museum for a quieter experience in a more controlled environment. Designated quiet zones will allow visitors to decompress and experience the museum at their own pace.

Before each program, families are invited to browse our “pre-visit” materials to help them prepare for their visit including social narratives and maps of our facility. These pre-visit materials are also available to help families plan for visits that take place outside of program hours and a sensory backpack is available at the front desk for use.

To provide the most sensory-friendly environment possible, we will limit the capacity for these special times to 50 people.  https://ellasharpmuseum.org/classes-and-events/sensory-time/

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Sensory Friendly Play

Upcoming play date November 4, 4:00pm- 6:00 pm

Together with Autism Support of Kent County, GRCM welcomes families to play in a calmer, quieter environment outside of regular Museum hours.

Registration required.

Various Events Scheduled

Sept.1- Sept. 3o

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Check calendar for Sensory Friendly evenings  https://www.grpm.org/visit/

https://www.autismsupportofkentcounty.org/new-products/p/2024-night-at-the-gr-childrens-museum

Sports

TheraplayYoga: Therapeutic Playful Yoga for Diverse Abilities  

Adaptive Yoga Studio, 2015 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912

Inclusive & Accessible Yoga for Diverse Bodies, Brains, and Abilities. Check website for schedule. Gloria@TheraPLAYoga.com   https://theraplayoga.com/

Detroit Lions

Sept. 8 Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ford Field, 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

https://www.detroitlions.com/

Detroit City FC

Sept. 14, 22

Keyworth Stadium, 3201 Roosevelt St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

https://www.detcityfc.com/

Detroit Tigers

Sept. 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Comerica Park, 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

https://www.mlb.com/tigers

Family Fun

DINO ADVENTURES AT JOHN BALL ZOO

Sept. 1 through Nov. 10,  9:00 am- 4:00 pm

John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI

Join as we journey through the ages, uncovering how the traits of prehistoric dinosaurs have influenced the animals we see today. Through this interactive exhibit we’ll come together to celebrate our living world and significance of conservation. During Dino Adventures, John Ball Zoo will aim to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world, its history, and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect both living species and those yet to come. The Zoo will be transformed with life sized dinosaur replica robots that make noise and move. Guests can embark on a dinosaur safari through the Zoo’s Forest Realm and learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth. For tickets: https://jbzoo.org/events/dino-adventures/

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Outdoor Adventure Center, Globe Trading Company Building, 1801 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 

Enjoy the opportunity to explore and experience the OAC with building sounds and ambient noises at a lower volume. During your visit, there will be a quiet room with sensory materials 

available to use.

Various Activities scheduled

Set.1-Sept.30  https://www.michigan.gov/oac

Fascination Factory

Sensory Friendly Play

Check website for times and dates

2295 E Lincoln St; Suite 150, Birmingham, MI

What to expect in our new sensory sensitive hours: Back door locked for safety No music Noise Cancelling Headphones Oral chews offered at check-in Calming corner tent Minimized Capacity Families $30.00  https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/event/sensory-sensitive/2024-05-07/

Together Let’s Sing, Dance and Jam!!

Sept. 4, 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm Virtual

Please join us for our monthly "virtual" music therapy event!! Please RSVP by February 25 to Cathy Blatnik at blatsie63@yahoo.com with your name, age, contact phone number and e-mail address

REC-IT Class: Inclusive Art

Sept. 12, Sept. 26, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Disability Network Eastern Michigan - Troy 1709 John R Road, Troy, MI

Join us for in-person art classes.  Participants will learn new artistic skills using a variety of mediums, such as: acrylic painting, oil pastels, watercolor, and mixed media.  Class includes group and individual instruction and meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.  In order to promote inclusion for all, we request a maximum of 4 individuals from any one agency. All levels of experience and ability are welcome. https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/event/rec-it-class-inclusive-art-2/2024-04-11/

Let’s Roll Together

Sept. 17, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm

Roll Arena, 2909 Bay City Road, Midland, MI 48642

Join us for a “rolling” good time! Our goal is to create a fun and accessible environment for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy skating and socializing.

This session will include wheelchair-accessible lanes. These lanes can also be used by individuals who may need assistance with a non-skating support person. Caregivers & Direct Support Staff are FREE (free admission valid for one caregiver/support staff per participant). $10 admission  https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/event/lets-roll-together-2/2024-06-18/

ARC Livingston Dance 2024

Sept. 21, 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Howell Elks Lodge 2830 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI

The Arc Livingston Dances Schedule for 2024 is Here!! Mark your Calendars!! Arc Dances are held monthly at different locations throughout the community. There is a charge of $3

https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/event/arc-livingston-dance-2024/2024-04-27/

Inclusive Game Night

Sept. 27, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm

Therapeutic Concepts, LLC 38257 Mound Road, Building D, Sterling Heights, MI

For the whole family focusing on inclusion, safety, and enjoyment! $10 per family, register online https://therapeuticconceptsllc.com

Detroit Zoo

Sensory Friendly Evenings

August 30, 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

As part of our work to create accessible and welcoming spaces for all, the Detroit Zoo will turn down the music and adjust the lights during special evenings this summer.

Starting in June, the Detroit Zoo is hosting three Sensory Friendly Evenings for guests with different sensory needs. Sensory Friendly Evenings will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 30. During these times, the Zoo and its attractions will be open to all visitors, but special accommodations will be in place to ensure the Zoo can be enjoyed by families and individuals of all abilities.  Sensory bags and a dedicated sensory room is available for those who may need a quieter and more secure space.

Included with Zoo admission | Free for members | No event registration required

https://detroitzoo.org/events/zoo-events/sensory-friendly-evenings/

Various fun events through the month.

Legoland Discovery Center Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings  Check the website for upcoming Mornings

4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings, we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum.

Sensory-sensitive adults are welcome to visit during Sensory Friendly Mornings without a child (age 16 or under) in the party until the attraction opens to the general public at 10 am. Adults who are not accompanied by a child must exit the attraction upon opening. Groups that are accompanied by a child are welcome to stay past 10 am.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event.

https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/michigan/tickets-passes/

Sealife Michigan

Sensory Friendly Mornings Check the website for upcoming mornings

4316 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

During Sensory Friendly Mornings, we’ll reduce the lighting, turn off music & disable distracting stimuli for an hour before we open to the general public. This event is perfect for our friends on the autism spectrum.

The aquarium will open to the general public with normal lighting, sound, etc. at 10 am, but you're welcome to stay as long as you like and do not have to leave when the event ends at 10 am.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance for this special event. Please check   https://www.visitsealife.com/michigan/what-s-inside/events/sensory-friendly-mornings/

MJR Digital Cinema Sensory-Friendly Film

Check the website for movie times

100 East Maple Road, Troy, MI, 48083, United States 

https://www.mjrtheatres.com/sensory-friendly-films?fbclid=IwAR1JnETT-4LqVME0tv0TkWPiYH5lckEcSi4o-u3EcdA4eyfbqJYLgmReJ00

Events

Come Join Girl Scout Troop 1197! First All Inclusive Troop!

4920 Groveland Rd, Ortonville, MI 48462

The ONLY troop of its kind in MI, troop 1197 is being formed right now at O.A.T.S. (Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles) in Ortonville for those with special needs ages 11 and up. The troop, designed with experienced scout leaders, will include typical scouting activities including camping and outdoor skills. For more information, email walkonoats@gmail.com

2024 Autism Hero Walk: Detroit

Sept. 21, 7:00 am- 12:00 pm

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Grab your capes and get ready to fly with us as we celebrate the 2024 Autism Hero Walk: Detroit on Saturday, September 21st at the Detroit Zoo!

The Autism Hero Walk: Detroit is Michigan’s largest gathering of 6,000+ families affected by autism to celebrate our everyday superheroes! This fundraiser benefits Autism Alliance of Michigan and includes full-day admission to the Detroit Zoo, an autism resource fair with 50+ vendors, an on-stage program, a united community walk, arts & crafts, and entertainment for all ages. Register Here: https://secure3.convio.net/aaomi/site/TR?fr_id=1080&pg=entry for questions Event Coordinator Lauren Parrott at lauren.parrott@aaomi.org.

Disability Dirt Days

Sept. 21 and Oct. 20, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm

Holly Oaks ORV Park14551 Shields Road, Holly, MI 48442

Experience off-roading at Holly Oaks ORV Park with rides provided by volunteers.• Ride provided for rider and one guest (No guarantee on type of vehicle for ride).• Riders must be at least 10 years old. Participant waivers are required.

For more information or questions, call or text 248-221-8040.

A confirmation email will be sent the week prior to your registered date.

This program is held in partnership with Disability Network Eastern Michigan, Wheelchairs in Motion and Rehab & Mobility Systems. To register: https://www.oakgov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/22436/638471255867500160

2024 Detroit Walk for Apraxia Every Child Deserves A Voice

Sept. 22, 10:30 am- 12:00 pm

Young Patriots Park, 14133 Civic Park Dr, Riverview, MI 48193

At the Walk for Apraxia, we gather to celebrate the achievements of our Apraxia Stars, and to raise funds to support the programs that help our Stars shine. The Walk for Apraxia sustains educational opportunities, awareness, financial aid, support for research, and much more. By joining the Walk, you are making our apraxia community tighter, stronger, and ready for the road ahead.

 Don't forget - registration is FREE!We encourage you to register today and invite your network to do the same. https://secure.apraxia-kids.org/site/TR?fr_id=3738&pg=entry

IEP: A Closer Look

Sept. 23, 9:30 am- 11:00 amRegister at Register at https://tinyurl.com/4we5vftj

This free, online workshop takes a closer look at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. This workshop will help you:• take a more in depth look at the core areas of the IEP• prioritize your greatest concerns• learn how to address those concerns through the IEP process• improve your ability to have productive conversationsThere will also be time set aside to ask questions.

Who should attend? Families with a child or young adult with an IEP or IFSP.

Questions? info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org

This article is from: