Legoland Florida is teaming up with Autism Speaks to make its theme park more welcoming for people with autism.
The vacation resort #BuiltForKids is currently installing a large panel of hands-on, sensory-stimulating activities in a quiet space. It's the first of several planned projects designed to make the Legoland Florida resort a friendlier destination for children with autism.
Park officials say a recent refurbishment of the park's Annual Pass processing center gave them an ideal opportunity to create a safe, calming space for children with special needs.
That project quickly bloomed as several departments contributed more ideas in hopes of making the resort more welcoming for children of all abilities.
Staff members and volunteers with Autism Speaks will consult on the installation and development of "quiet rooms" and other resort facilities meant for guests with autism.
The organization will also help the resort create online "social stories," which will provide illustrated walkthroughs of its attractions, shows and other amenities, and will also consult on other initiatives like a park map designed for guests with special needs and possible revisions to its Guide for Guests with Disabilities.
Legoland will also sponsor the Kids Zone area during the Autism Speaks Walk at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on April 23, and on World Autism Awareness Day, the park will shine blue spotlights on its entrance arch.
“We’re proud to say that we’re built for kids,” said Rex Jackson, the resort's director of marketing and sales. “By partnering with Autism Speaks and making these smart changes that will benefit so many families, we’re helping to ensure that our resort is truly built for all kids.”