EDWARDSVILLE – A child’s curiosity should never be limited by barriers to access. At Edwardsville Children’s Museum (ECM), that belief has evolved into a museum-wide commitment to creating a welcoming space where children of all abilities can play, explore, and imagine. Through new inclusive and sensory-friendly accommodations, ECM ensures children on the autism spectrum, those with sensory sensitivities, and visitors who need a little extra support can discover the joy of learning in a museum designed with their needs in mind.
“Every Child Belongs” was created in memory of Alma Buhnerkempe from Chatham, Ill. Throughout her young life, Alma had a gift for making the children around her feel seen, included, and valued – in her honor, the initiative reflects the kindness she was known for. It is ECM’s hope that every family who walks through its doors feels the same warmth and belonging that Alma naturally gave to others.
After three weeks of renovations and modifications, ECM is ready to welcome families back. Visitors to ECM can now discover a variety of thoughtful updates designed to create a more inclusive environment:
- Sensory-friendly exhibits with soft lighting, reduced noise, and calming activities are now designated with a special symbol. Families will also receive a map highlighting these spaces.
- Families can request Assistive Language & Material Aid Kits (ALMA Kits) to use at ECM and take home. These specially curated kits include fidget toys and other sensory-friendly items children may need to calm themselves during their visit.
- Thanks to a gift from Edwardsville resident Nicholas Hoffstetter, a matching grant from the Edwardsville Community Foundation, and additional public donations, ECM has outfitted its Makerspace Room with sound panels to help control noise levels for children with auditory sensitivities.
- To help families plan the day’s adventures, ECM has uploaded a Social Story to its website they can refer to before their visit. The story walks children through exactly what they can expect from the moment they arrive at ECM to the moment they leave.
- Twice a month, ECM will offer two-hour time slots for children with sensory sensitivities. These playtimes require pre-registration so the Museum can limit capacity and create a low-stimulation space. Families can learn more about upcoming sessions by visiting www.edwcm.org or calling 618.692.2094.
“ECM has always believed our young visitors and their families should have a voice in how our museum is designed,” said Sarah Wells, ECM board president. “With their insights, they’ve helped us create a more welcoming space that gives every child the chance to learn through hands-on play and discovery. It’s really important to us that our inclusivity initiative is an ongoing one, and we’ll be continuing to add new sensory-friendly exhibits and programs based on feedback from our incredible families. We would also like to thank Alma’s family – Billie, Michael, and Will – for allowing us to honor her with this program. We are so proud to carry on her legacy of kindness, joy, and inclusivity through Every Child Belongs.”
Families wishing to learn more about ECM’s sensory-friendly accommodations are invited to visit www.edwcm.org/sensory-friendly.
