LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- When crowds of
noisy fans enter a sports arena or concert hall, many expect – or
even hope for – some sort of sensory overload. But for families
with children with sensory sensitivity or children on the autism
spectrum, it can be virtually impossible to enter such a loud,
overpowering environment without worrying.
It is a challenge MGM Resorts is working to address at an
unprecedented scale. And with April marking Autism Awareness Month,
MGM Resorts is preparing to implement major changes at its
Las Vegas venues.
The company has partnered with KultureCity to certify T-Mobile
Arena, Park Theater, Mandalay Bay Events Center and the MGM Grand
Garden Arena as sensory inclusive destinations. Each venue offers
sensory kits containing noise canceling headphones, fidget tools,
verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads.
As part of the certification process, MGM Resorts employees went
through a comprehensive training with KultureCity to learn about
how to best serve guests who have autism, post-traumatic stress
disorder or other similar conditions.
"MGM Resorts has long been committed to creating moments that
can't be found elsewhere, but we are not succeeding at our mission
if the experience is not accessible to everyone," said George
Kliavkoff, President of Entertainment and Sports. "Entertainment is
critical to the human experience and we are committed to breaking
down barriers so that the experience is accessible to
all."
Even small changes can go a long way to making a sporting event,
concert, or other live performance more comfortable for a person
with autism or PTSD, said Dr. Julian
Maha, Founder of KultureCity.
"How often have you gone out to a restaurant and noticed a
person with a sensory disability? The very fact that you don't see
these people out shows you that they don't feel welcome in these
spaces," said Maha. "We're proud to partner with MGM Resorts and
help them further their commitment to inclusion."
The sensory kits are available now at T-Mobile Arena and will
soon be available at the other venues as well.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment
company with national and international locations featuring
best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and
conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment
experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and
retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences
through its suite of Las
Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses
30 unique hotel and destination gaming offerings including some of
the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Expanding
throughout the U.S. and around the world, the company recently
acquired the operations of Empire City Casino in New York and Hard Rock Rocksino in
Ohio, which was rebranded as MGM
Northfield Park. In 2018, MGM Resorts opened MGM Springfield in
Massachusetts, MGM COTAI in
Macau, and the first
Bellagio-branded hotel in Shanghai. The 83,000 global employees of MGM
Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of
FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. For more
information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International