The Organization Is the Official Autism Education Partner of the Florida Panthers for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Seasons
Yesterday, ABA Centers of Florida unveiled the first ever sensory room at Amerant Bank Arena, as the Florida Panthers took on the Detroit Red Wings.
ABA Centers of Florida partnered with KultureCity, the nation’s leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities, to bring the sensory room to life. The sensory room caters to the neurodivergent community, but can be utilized by all attendees of Amerant Bank Arena. Located on the 300 Level (Upper Level), this room is a space of solace where guests who may become overstimulated by the loud cheers and bright lights can find a few minutes of respite and can recenter themselves through the self-soothing tools and activities provided within the room.
For neurodivergent guests that would like to soothe-on-the-go, ABA Centers of Florida has also supplied Amerant Bank Arena with sensory bags that will include headphones, fidget tools, and other items to provide another layer overstimulation alleviation. Throughout the season, attendees can request a sensory bag through the arena’s guest services desk.
These sensory-inclusive offerings are part of ABA Centers of Florida sponsorship of the Florida Panthers, which was extended on the tail of the team’s appearance in the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final last year. The continuation of this agreement names the organization as the Panthers official autism education partner through June 2025.
In addition to the sensory bags and sensory room, Amerant Bank Arena staff will be trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.
“As a South Florida native, I am proud to support our hometown sports heroes, but I am even more proud that the Panthers have chosen to champion a cause that affects so many children in our community,” said Christopher Barnett, CEO of ABA Centers. “With nearly 5% of children in Florida being on the spectrum, we want families impacted by autism to know that ABA Centers of Florida is here to give them the hope and the help that they need – quickly – and our partnership with the Panthers only helps us spread that message faster to the families that need it the most.”
On April 11, 2024, ABA Centers of Florida will take over Amerant Bank Arena as the presenting sponsor of Autism Awareness Night as the Panthers compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
About ABA Centers of Florida
ABA Centers of Florida provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder through a play-based approach rooted in positive reinforcement. The company was designed to disrupt the autism care industry by demolishing wait times traditionally experienced by those in search of an autism diagnosis or treatment. Its strategically designed behavioral care centers serve the South and Central Florida areas and offer the greatest opportunity for growth to young clients and their families. In-home and in-school treatment are also available to deliver the most impactful continuum of care and to best meet each client’s specific needs. More information can be found at www.abacentersfl.com.
About Amerant Bank Arena
Florida’s premier sports and entertainment venue, Amerant Bank Arena is Florida’s largest indoor arena and the second largest sports and entertainment venue in South Florida. Home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, the state-of-the-art Amerant Bank Arena continues to host hundreds of major concerts, events, and performance acts each year, which have included the likes of Elton John, Harry Styles, Beyonce, Lizzo, WWE, Billboard Latin Music Awards and more. Located in Sunrise, Florida across from the Sawgrass Mills Mall, which attracts upwards of 30 million visitors annually, the Broward County-owned Amerant Bank Arena is one of the top-ranked venues of its kind in the world, servicing Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties and beyond. For more information about Amerant Bank Arena and upcoming events, games, and concerts, visit AmerantBankArena.com and follow @AmerantBankArena on Facebook and Instagram and @AmerantArena on X.
About KultureCity
KultureCity®, established in 2014, is a dynamic non-profit organization at the forefront of the inclusivity movement which continues to make waves in creating a more accessible and accepting world for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities (found in 1 in 4 of us). In a short 10 years, a few highlights of KultureCity’s impact includes making over 1,800 venues sensory inclusive certified, handing out almost a million sensory bags to individuals in need, making over 150 live events sensory inclusive, and saving 48 lives through the KultureCity® First Responder Training. KultureCity’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond physical spaces. The organization actively collaborates with influential figures, businesses, and communities to promote awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities. KultureCity® partners with event industry leaders like NFL, NBA, MLB, and FIFA to make their flagship events sensory inclusive. With ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and a passionate community of supporters, KultureCity® is set to leave an enduring impact on the landscape of inclusivity.
Contact
Katie Murphy
Director of Public Relations
(561) 895-6017
[email protected]
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