With staff training and other efforts, officials say Wrigley Field is now more equipped to welcome visitors with autism and other sensory sensitivities. (Blake Guidry/Unsplash)
Baseball’s historic Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, has become the first Major League Baseball stadium to be designated as a Certified Autism Center.
Both the team and the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards announced the new status recently. In order to earn the designation, 80% of Wrigley Field employees who work directly with fans completed autism and sensory-awareness training. The training gave the employees “knowledge, skills and practices to welcome and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive fans.”
Additionally, Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., the Cubs’ Spring Training home, was named a Certified Autism Center in 2020 by the IBCCES. Mesa itself was also the first Autism-Certified City.
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“Creating the world’s best guest experience starts with understanding that fans experience the ballpark in different ways,” Cubs Chief Operations Officer David Cromwell said in a statement. “Our guest-facing staff now have additional tools to communicate with and support autistic and sensory-sensitive fans from the moment they arrive at Wrigley Field.”
The “Friendly Confines” currently offers sensory assistance for fans through the nonprofit organization KultureCity. According to the Cubs’ website, fans with sensory needs can get a sensory bag that includes noise-canceling headphones, a fidget tool and mood cards. The Cubs also offer a sensory room at the ballpark where “guests will find a variety of calming and interactive installations. The room is equipped with a sound machine, gentle lighting, Sparkle Eco Cubs that display LED lights with touch sensors, a tactile texture wall and other features.”
“Baseball has a unique ability to bring people together, creating memorable experiences for fans of all ages and abilities,” Myron Pincomb, CEO and board chairman of IBCCES, said in a statement. “By becoming a Certified Autism Center, Wrigley Field is demonstrating its commitment to providing a more welcoming and accessible environment where autistic and sensory-sensitive fans can enjoy the excitement of game day with greater confidence and comfort.”
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