Sights and sounds from University of Washington’s inaugural sensory-friendly game

To an untrained eye, the differences used to make the event more accessible likely went unnoticed. Tables around the concourse frequently offer give-a-way items. Today, those items were intended to improve the fan experience. There are tools to help tolerate bright flashing lights, loud sounds, and bustling crowds typical of a basketball game. At this game, there were calming activities such as coloring pages, sunglasses, noise-reducing ear plugs, fidget toys, communication boards, and purple pom poms.

Reduced noise sections were designated and the volume of music in the arena was lowered. The overhead lights were dimmer. Farther from the court, a quiet room was available with the game playing on TV. This serves as a calm respite if the larger arena space was overwhelming or uncomfortable.  

Born from collaboration with the University of Washington Autism Center, the game wasn’t the only event involved in this partnership. Yev Veverka, the Director of Training and Consultation Services at the Center told The IX, “Team members really wanted to make this happen. They had one of our social skills groups out for a practice… some of our kids got to go out on the court and meet the players and shoot some hoops… So there’s definitely engagement in a way that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”

Head Coach Tina Langley shared, “It was wonderful to have them out to a practice. I think one of the neat things is when we can just be with people… I think the more we can be face-to-face with people, we can get to know our community and the community gets to know us. I just think we’ll be really bonded. Grateful for that opportunity.”

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Making basketball more accessible

Throughout the game, community resources committed to caring for people with sensory needs were recognized. Prior to tip-off, the Huskies acknowledged Kelly and John Olerud, founders of the Jordan Fund, which provides financial support to kids with disabilities and their families. The UW Autism Center was celebrated on court at half time. Their mission is “caring for autistic individuals and their families through exceptional clinical services, innovative scientific research and high-quality training.”

As the time wound down, a look around the arena showed kids having a great time. “As a parent myself and having worked in the field for a long time,” Veverka said, “I know that there’s a lot of families that tell us they can’t access sporting events like this, and so what I’m seeing right now is that kids are accessing it in the way that they want to. There’s some kids who have big headphones and are sitting away from others. There’s kids that are being so loud and pacing and talking non-stop and are so excited. And there’s kids who are sitting quietly or fidgeting, and all of that is made possible because of the accommodations put in place to allow families to enjoy it the way they need to enjoy it.”

Washington Head Coach Tina Langley commented on the sensory friendly game in her post-game remarks. “We’re actually just learning… I had the opportunity to teach special education for a short time, so it brought back some really neat memories. I worked with children with autism in my student teaching a really long time ago. Just the way community can be helpful to the entire family is really important.”

Hannah Stines added, “We just want everyone to feel loved and it was fun to play for them today and see everyone out there. It means a lot to us.”