Rogers Arena takes steps to be more autism friendly
Posted April 3, 2018 4:20 pm.
Last Updated April 3, 2018 4:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you or someone you know lives with autism, watching a hockey game or concert at Rogers Arena will likely be a more pleasant experience from now on.
With Autism Awareness Month now underway, the home to Vancouver’s hockey team has become the first NHL arena in Canada to include autism accessibility. Tina Chiao is with the Canucks Autism Network and has a nine-year-old son with autism.
She tells Sportsnet 650 event staff have received training from the network.
“And it means that there’ll be a quiet room available for individuals and families with autism upon request, and there’ll be resources like a video storybook to show what to expect at a game,” she says.
“Having the opportunity to pre-load him with a storybook and to give him the opportunity to have a break if he needs it, if it becomes too overwhelming, it’s huge. This is a really breakthrough opportunity really.”
There are plans to honour autism awareness at tonight’s game.
