Brookfield Zoo Goes Blue For Autism Awareness

BROOKFIELD, IL – Brookfield Zoo is once again partnering with Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, to take part in the annual Zoos Go Blue campaign on Saturday, April 7. According to the zoo, the event takes place at Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ accredited institutions across North America during World Autism Awareness Month. To commemorate the day, the zoo’s iconic lion statues will be clothed in blue ribbons, blue flags will decorate the park’s grounds, and special inclusive activities and animal Zoo Chats will take place.

“In our sixth year partnering with Autism Speaks for Zoos Go Blue, we are excited to again provide families with children on the autism spectrum the opportunity to enjoy the zoo in a fun and relaxed environment,” Jennifer Baader, vice president of government affairs for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, said in a release. “While a variety of special activities will take place on April 7, Brookfield Zoo is committed to accessibility year-round, and we hope families will experience some of the new opportunities for children with disabilities that we’ve initiated in recent months.”

The zoo said families are encouraged to take advantage of the zoo’s new inclusion resource center and the sensory-friendly family room, both located in Hamill Family Play Zoo. The room offers a calm environment for children who may need a break from the excitement of the zoo, offering fidgets and other sensory-support materials, comfortable seating, blackout curtains, dimmable lights, and access to Wi-Fi.

The newly renovated resource center also provides useful information and tools to enhance a visit, including an accessibility guide, visual schedules, social stories, magazines, and noise-reducing headphones that are available to check out, the zoo said. For Zoos Go Blue, the zoo has designated an additional quiet/break area in the Safari Riverside Room, which is located on the lower level of BZ Red Hots restaurant.

At 11 a.m., the zoo said guests can head to the ITW White Oak Room for a special Zoo Chat to learn about a few of the animal ambassadors from the staff who care for them. Families can take a spin on The Carousel. From 11 a.m. to noon, the music will be turned off for a “quiet hour.” At 1 p.m., guests can attend a sensory-friendly Dolphins in Action presentation. A final Zoo Chat will take place at 2 p.m. in Hamill Family Play Zoo.

“Autism Speaks is proud to continue our partnership with the Chicago Zoological Society for our Zoos Go Blue campaign,” Colleen Shinn, manager of community outreach-Midwest and South Central Regions, said in a release. “We’re thrilled to continue this important initiative with Brookfield Zoo and are grateful for their acknowledgement of World Autism Awareness Month. Brookfield Zoo is committed to helping raise awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder, not only through their celebration of the autism community on this special day, but through the accommodations and renovations they’re making at the zoo year-round. Autism Speaks is especially proud to collaborate with other disability organizations through participation on the Zoo for All Advisory Board. We encourage Brookfield Zoo to continue to support the autism community and those with other disabilities every day to make every family’s trip to the zoo a positive and inclusive one.”

Photos provided by Chicago Zoological Society.