Turns out there is a place to find peace and quiet among the hustle and bustle of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Birmingham, Ala.-based nonprofit KultureCity set up “sensory activation vehicles” around Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.
The trailers offer a safe, quiet and calming space for people with sensory needs, such as autism or PTSD, during high-stimulating events like the NFL Draft.
The NFL reported that more than 320,000 people — a league record — attended the draft Thursday, with another 260,000 people attending Friday.
KultureCity’s sensory bags included noise reduction headphones, strobe light reduction glasses, fidget toys and cue cards where someone who is nonverbal can identify thoughts and needs.
The air-conditioned trailer featured beanbags, tactile wall panels and bubble tubes.
“We provide these resources for them so they don’t have to miss out on these kinds of events,” said Dalton Bright, an associate at KultureCity. “We also provide safe spaces for people.
“We are really passionate about providing sensory inclusion for all, because everybody deserves to come to events like the NFL Draft.”
Bright said people of all ages have used the trailer and equipment.
“There’s also been an abundance of people stopping by and saying, ‘What’s this about?’” he said. “It gives us a chance to share a little bit more about our mission, our passion and a little bit about what we’re trying to do.”
Bright said that, for many, the lights and sounds of the NFL Draft can be exciting.
“But there are people that, while that may still be exciting, there may be a threshold that is met that it becomes overstimulating,” Bright said. “We like to provide resources to allow people to escape from that, to recompose, to ground themselves, and put on a very comfortable, sensory-inclusive space so you can get back out there and enjoy watching the NFL Draft.”