Children’s Museum of Atlanta receives generous donation toward “A Museum for All” from NCR Foundation, 3M and The Rich Foundation

ATLANTA (July 15, 2019) – Children’s Museum of Atlanta is pleased to announce it is piloting a brand-new program called “A Museum for All.” Over the next three years, the Museum will work to address issues of educational inequity for children with exceptional abilities. This initiative will help Children’s Museum of Atlanta provide all young learners with access to resources and experiences that promote education through the power of play. Made possible by a 3-year $100,000 grant from NCR Foundation, with additional monetary support from 3M and the Rich Foundation, “A Museum for All” will continue to expand on the already-existing Sensory Friendly Saturday programs created for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory processing challenges.

“The grant from NCR Foundation and generous donations from 3M and The Rich Foundation, serve as a catalyst that will help further transform Children’s Museum of Atlanta and classrooms across the city into an inviting and safe space for children with exceptional abilities to explore, learn and grow through the power of play,” said Jane Turner, executive director of Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “We are incredibly grateful for  the support from our community partners who help us continue to extend the reach and impact of our efforts.”

To implement a wide-range of services and amenities to children with disabilities, the multi-faceted three-year “A Museum for All” program will include outreach with community partners, including parents and guardians of children with unique abilities; experts within the special needs field; along with Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools; and the Piedmont School of Atlanta. This upcoming fall, in-museum field trips will be introduced in addition to classroom-based outreach programs designed to give children with disabilities and their caregivers interactive early-learning experiences. In addition, staff members are currently receiving extensive training to ensure they are fully equipped to engage with children with special abilities and needs. Children’s Museum of Atlanta will also be partnering with Georgia Institute of Technology’s EXCEL program during 2021 in an effort to make the venue even more conducive to special needs learning.

Reaching and helping families in the community is embedded in the mission of Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Currently, the Museum partners with Briggs and Associates to provide assistance to adults with special needs by providing them with employment opportunities. For families with young learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other sensory processing disorders, the Museum also presently offers Sensory Friendly Saturdays. Visitors who come to the facility 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month can enjoy a sensory-modified setting, limited admission and sound and lighting adjustments. A social story is also available for download on the Museum’s website for parents and caretakers to prepare their child by showing a visual of what to expect during their visit.