The Elephant Sanctuary is happy to announce that The Elephant Discovery Center is now KultureCity® Certified!
In an effort to be more accessible and provide an inclusive experience for all guests during their visit to The Discovery Center in downtown Hohenwald, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has partnered with KultureCity to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate all — by supplying our staff with annual training and offering additional support and resources to those who may face sensory processing needs.
KultureCity is the nation's leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities. Their initiative is designed for businesses and organizations to best prepare for guests that might have sensory needs/sensory processing challenges. Almost one in six individuals have a sensory need or “invisible” disability, including PTSD, autism, or dementia. A sensory need (or sensory processing challenge) is one where an individual is affected by noises, smells, lights, and even crowds differently than others. Because of this, these guests often find themselves isolated from the community. KultureCity aims to provide individuals with sensory challenges with the same experiences and opportunities as others.
The certification process helps to ensure Staff at The Discovery Center are trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. KultureCity Sensory Bags have been equipped with noise-canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and KCVIP lanyard, which will be available to all visitors in need. Signs have been placed around the museum which indicate where loud or unexpected noises may occur, and a designated “quiet zone” is offered for those who may benefit from it. Check out The Discovery Center's KultureCity profile here!
The Sanctuary's Discovery Center is open to the public and located in downtown Hohenwald, Tennessee, which offers educational programs, exhibits, and a gift shop. The Discovery Center includes an open-air Outdoor Classroom, which serves as a public walkway for residents and visitors alike. The hands-on, self-guided exhibits teach visitors about the differences between the species and the ecological role elephants play in the wild. To learn more about The Discovery Center, you may visit: https://www.elephants.com/discovery-center.
The elephants' habitats are closed to the public. Visitors to The Discovery Center will not see or interact with elephants.