Georgia Aquarium has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests for all events including those with sensory needs.
We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our Team Members with continuous training and by offering resources and accommodations to our guests.
We proudly offer our guests:
Georgia Aquarium is the first aquarium to be designated a Certified Autism Center. Learn more here.
What is a sensory room?
A sensory room is a space designed to help an individual with sensory issues learn to regulate their brain’s negative reactions to external stimuli by developing coping skills for these experiences.
Our sensory room is located on the second floor near our Ray Touch Pool.
What are in our sensory bags?
All of our sensory bags come equipped with headphones, marble fidget, noddle fidget, tangle fidget and an I.D. card.
These bags are available at our Guest Service desks.
What and when are Sensory Hours?
Sensory hours occur during our first hour of operation that provide lowered guest capacity, reduced lights and audio around the Aquarium and quiet spaces in galleries.
Depending on our hours of operation, the first hour is from 8:00am – 9:00am or 9:00am – 10:00am.
Please check our website or Facebook page for our weekly hours.
Who is KultureCity?
A partner of Georgia Aquarium who are the nation’s leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities. Learn more about KultureCity here.
Sensory needs are a common medical condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Sensory disabilities can affect both children and adults, like veterans with PTSD. When guests with sensory needs visits a popular venue, things like loud noises, inconsistent lighting or certain smells can be overwhelming and even physically painful.
The room is specifically designated for guest experiencing sensory issues. Please respect the room and its materials so other guests can enjoy. Guest are limited to 15 minutes at a time unless granted permission for a longer stay.
Yes, to comply with our COVID protocols and social distancing, only one family is allowed in the sensory room at a time.
Yes, there is a 15-minute time limit for each family unless approved for a longer stay.
When individuals or families with sensory needs visit a popular venue, things like loud noises, inconsistent lighting or certain smells can be overwhelming and even physically painful. We have built a sensory room so those with sensory needs can decompress while visiting and rejoin the excitement when they feel ready.
The room will be sanitized after every use. Masks will not be required in the space since one family at a time will be allowed access. Sanitation stations and wipes will be available in the room for guests.
All of our sensory bags come equipped with headphones, marble fidget, noddle fidget, tangle fidget and an I.D. card. These bags are available at our Guest Service desks.
Sensory rooms, from the size, color of the walls, to the elements in the room are all carefully planned by the KultureCity sensory team led by physicians, and board-certified therapists. Some items included in the room are:
We believe that ALL individuals regardless of their abilities and/or age are valued members of the community and deserve to be accepted and included. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue. Sensory rooms help create a safe and calming environment for these individuals so they can take a break from the event, decompress, and join the event again.
Guests looking to utilize the sensory room must check in with a staff member in order to gain access to the room. Staff members are located at the Animal Interaction Desk or information desk beside the sensory room.