Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles who have autism now have their own room at Lincoln Financial Field.
The sensory room opened its doors to the public on Sunday, and is meant to "promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with sensory challenges visiting Lincoln Financial Field," according to an official statement from the Eagles.
The 500-square-foot room has bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, weighted lap pads and trained professionals there to help. It was designed by "top medical professionals," the statement said.
The Eagles are one of the first sports franchises to have a sensory room, according to the statement.
“With the opening of Lincoln Financial Field in 2003, we made it an organizational priority to create a one-of-a-kind experience for guests in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment,” said Jeffrey Lurie, chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles. “It is truly heartwarming to know that this state-of-the-art sensory room will now provide a sense of ease and comfort for families and loved ones who may be experiencing sensory challenges at Lincoln Financial Field. In this moment, we are creating a major shift from autism awareness to action, and it is all thanks to our compassionate and caring fans, Eagles Autism Challenge supporters, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the autism community around the world.”
The sensory room is the Eagles' latest work in its ongoing advocacy for the autistic community. Since making autism research and care its philanthropic priority in 2016, the team has donated nearly $2 million to benefit autism programs at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Center for Autism Research.
Football fans tweeted their reactions to the new room.
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