Hard Rock Stadium has become the latest major league venue to add sensory and nursing room spaces in a move designed to enhance the fan experience at the venue.
The sensory room will be located in section 153 of the stadium, which serves as the home of NFL American football team the Miami Dolphins.
It will be a private air-conditioned room for guests to use as a quiet space and has been fitted with a padded floor, padded wall mounted equipment and other sensory supplies donated by The Dan Marino Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people and individuals with other development disabilities.
Mary Partin, chief executive of The Dan Marino Foundation, said: “The stadium has always provided amenities, including sound-reducing headphones and stress relievers. The new sensory room gives families the opportunity to attend games and concerts with peace of mind by knowing there is a quiet place for their child if needed.”
The sensory room will be staffed by a certified behaviour professional provided by InBloom Autism Services to help provide guests with any support they may need. Microsoft has also donated a Surface device to help manage the sensory room environment, while Bose has donated noise-cancelling headsets.
Meanwhile, the new nursing room in section 153 features a private air-conditioned feeding and sitting area, television, changing table and vanity sink with mirror. This area will also be staffed to ensure guests enjoy a comfortable and private experience.
Sam Coghill, the Dolphins’ vice-president of human resources and performance management, said: “We always strive to accommodate and assist guests at Hard Rock Stadium and we are excited about expanding our services for those with sensory processing and nursing needs.
“The creation of both of these spaces were driven by Hard Rock Stadium staff ideas and we knew we had a natural partner in the Marino Foundation to make the sensory room come to life. This was an extremely rewarding project and we are thrilled to provide these safe and inclusive environments for all of our fans.”
Earlier this year, fellow NFL teams the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts opened new spaces for nursing mothers at their home stadiums, while the Chicago Bears launched a similar space at Soldier Field last year. A number of venues across North America’s major leagues have introduced sensory rooms in recent years as teams seek to provide a better experience for all fans.
Image: Miami Dolphins
