Boise State’s Taco Bell Arena Becomes The First Certified Sensory Inclusive College Arena

BOISE, Idaho (CelebrityAccess) — Taco Bell Arena and Boise State University have partnered with the accessibility-focused non-profit KultureCity to make Taco Bell Arena the First ‘Certified Sensory Inclusive’ college arena in the United States.

This new initiative is aimed and making sure the arena is accommodating to guests and fans with a variety of sensory needs, the organizations said.

The Sensory Inclusion Certification process included training programs led by medical professionals for arena staff on how to assist guests at the arena who have sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Guests experiencing a sensory overload will receive a Sensory Bag, equipped with: noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads.

Sensory sensitivities, or challenges with sensory regulation, are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation by noise, sound or crowded environments.

“Because these stimuli are so prevalent at live events, it is extremely important to be able to mitigate some of the impact for sensory-sensitive guests,” a representative from Taco Bell Arena said in a press statement.

“Being able to witness a large university make such an important and monumental change to it’s culture and community, in order to improve the lives of each of their community members, no matter their ability, is truly astonishing. Knowing that Boise State University is the first university to have an arena that is sensory inclusive leads the movement in higher education becoming inclusive for all.” Traci Johnson, Executive Director, KultureCity.

All of the programs and events that the arena hosts will now be sensory inclusive, and arena staff are able to provide sensory bags as needed for guests, the Arena said.