Audubon Zoo to Host Special Needs Day

Community members of all ages with special needs can connect with nature in a family-friendly setting as Audubon Zoo hosts its sixth annual Special Needs Day on Saturday, November 2, 2019. The day is sponsored by The Bardell Company.

The Zoo will open an hour early at 9 a.m. to provide a more accessible experience for guests with special needs.

Cooper Plaza will include animal encounters in quiet spaces and a wellness fair. Health and social service organizations will be on site to offer a wealth of information and critical resources to our visitors.

“On any given day our family of attractions offers a sensory-rich experience for our guests with special needs,” said Community Relations Director Eileen Lumar-Johnson. “We are delighted once again to host this event that highlights our ongoing commitment to make every Audubon visit personal and accessible.”

Audubon is committed to providing an inclusive and seamless experience for guests of all ages, backgrounds, and needs. Audubon works across facilities to ensure its programs are inclusive and create experiences that address each visitor's unique needs—making Audubon more welcoming to all.

Audubon Nature Institute's staff receives ongoing professional development training to better work with guests with special needs and their families. Audubon Zoo was certified as sensory inclusive by KultureCity, making it one of the first of ten zoos in the country to be recognized. KultureCity, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to rethinking accessibility to create acceptance and inclusion for all individuals. 

During Special Needs day on November 2, Zoo admission for special needs visitors—along with up to three guests—is $3 each. The special admission is redeemed with a coupon that will be available at the Zoo front gate on the day of the event. One complimentary ride on the Gottesman Endangered Species Carousel is included with each special needs coupon redemption. For more information visit https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/special-needs-day.