Noel Beckel is learning to see the world through a different set of eyes.

His son was recently diagnosed with autism.

Beckel says a lot of it is very new to him and it's been a tough learning process.

 

 

Beckel was with his family at the Children's Museum this past Saturday, where a sensory-friendly event was being held. He says it was their first time at the event, and it was absolutely amazing.

 

 

Beckel says accessibility is extremely important.

Beckel, as well as Carrie Habert with Autism Speaks Canada, believe we're headed in the right direction as far as inclusivity and sensory-friendliness. But Habert says there's still a tremendous amount of work to do.

 

 

Lisa Dziedzic is the director of marketing and communications at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She says their sensory-friendly events fall under the umbrella of their Explore-Abilities access program, which was created in 2015 with the aim of reducing barriers.

 

 

Dziedzic says the events also have lightened sound and more visual signage.

April is autism awareness month. Habert says the main message is greater understanding leads to greater acceptance.

 

 

Some movie theatres have introduced sensory-friendly screenings, the Royal MTC held a "relaxed performance" last November, and Habert says some of their partners have been holding sensory-friendly Santa visits across the country.

The next sensory-friendly Explore-Abilities morning at the Children's Museum is August 12th. You can learn more at https://childrensmuseum.com/visit/calendar/explore-abilities-morning.