This Super Bowl, everyone will be included.
Eagles Autism Foundation, in collaboration with KultureCity and the NFL, will host All Abilities Clinics during special Sensory Hours at the Super Bowl Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 1-3 PM on Thursday, with more than 450 attendees confirmed already. The event will include appearances from SWOOP and the Eagles Cheerleaders.
"The Eagles Autism Foundation, led by the vision of Jeffrey Lurie, to not only raise millions of dollars, but to be able to be a model for inclusion, doesn't stop at Lincoln Financial Field. It really carries through wherever the team is on the ground. Whether it was in Brazil, how we started the season with All Abilities Clinics and a Science Symposium or going to the Super Bowl, we will be mobilizing and ensuring that all fans have access to resources that they can come to expect to receive at Lincoln Financial Field," Executive Director of Eagles Autism Foundation Ryan Hammond said.
"We're very excited to partner with the NFL and KultureCity, who are obviously long-standing partners of the foundation, to not only provide dedicated sensory hours on Thursday, February 6, to create a more inclusive experience for the autism community and others with sensory differences, but to mobilize and activate our all abilities clinic for the local community."
KultureCity, a nonprofit organization which trains staff and certifies venues which have sensory-inclusive modifications, will help provide 1,200 sensory bags that will be co-branded with Eagles Autism Foundation.
"We are proud to partner with the Philadelphia Eagles to champion sensory accessibility inclusion at the Super Bowl, ensuring that every fan, of all abilities, can fully experience the excitement of the game," said Uma Srivastava, Executive Director of KultureCity.
"Integrating sensory accessibility and inclusion throughout the Super Bowl footprint ensures that every fan, regardless of sensory needs and ability, can fully experience the excitement, energy, and joy of the festivities. Everyone deserves to be part of the moment."
During the event, students from Tulane University and LSU, along with members of the Eagles community, will be onsite volunteering for the All Abilities Clinic. The students from Tulane and LSU have been through virtual training with Eagles Autism Foundation Board Certified Behavior Analysts in preparation for the clinics.
The clinics will consist of a Football Clinic featuring wide receiver, running back, agility, defensive back, and quarterback stations. There will also be a Cheer Clinic, where participants are able to learn a cheer routine with the help of Eagles Cheerleaders.
There will also be two sensory rooms onsite at the experience, located in Section 347 for the Gate A Connector and Section 330 for Claiborne Market.
Eagles Autism Foundation has continued to contribute to the autism world, just recently announcing 53 projects specializing in cutting-edge autism research and care will receive $8.1 million in funding. The grants were a direct result of the proceeds raised by participants from the 2024 Eagles Autism Challenge, in addition to other foundation-related fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
Since 2018, 169 research projects and community grants have been funded by the Eagles Autism Foundation.
"It just so happens that some of our community grants, locally, have affiliations in New Orleans. So, we were able to reach out to the Special Olympics to ACEing Autism and also Easter Seals and invite their communities locally to join us at the NFL Experience and the All Abilities Clinics," Hammond said. "We provided not only complimentary tickets through the foundation for NFL experience but also helped provide transportation for those that may have needed it to be able to participate. And we're excited to welcome the local community into the Eagles Autism Foundation family." – Written by Liam Wichser
