The Atlanta Hawks and NBA legend Dominique Wilkins commemorated his birthday in a unique and inclusive way at State Farm Arena. By teaming up with KultureCity, a non-profit organization renowned for their efforts supporting individuals with sensory needs, the venue now boasts an upgraded sensory room designed to create an enjoyable experience for all guests, announced the Hawks.
An official statement from the Atlanta Hawks described the freshly renovated space located by Gate 1 of the award-winning State Farm Arena, equipped with calming features such as bubble walls, nano leaf paneling, and a variety of new fidget tools. Fans can also check out sensory bags at no cost housing special KultureCity VIP badges, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources tailored to enhance event experience for guests with sensory sensitivities, according to the NBA.
Furthermore, the Hawks have announced plans to contribute a portion of ticket sales during April in recognition of Autism Awareness Month directly to KultureCity. "Making sure sports are inclusive is something very important to me, and I'm grateful that the Hawks and State Farm Arena continue to invest in inclusive initiatives," Wilkins, who also serves as a board member for KultureCity, told Atlanta News First.
The initiative speaks volumes about the Hawks' commitment to diversity and inclusion, underscored by the efforts of the team's Executive Vice President and Chief People, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Camye Mackey. "We're happy to celebrate Nique’s birthday by supporting something near and dear to his heart," Mackey said. The sensory room update also emphasizes the organization's dedication to educating their staff and serving as a model for other venues nationwide to follow suit in prioritizing a welcoming environment for all fans.
Since the alliance with KultureCity began in 2017, the Hawks and State Farm Arena have led the charge in sensory inclusion in the Southeast Division, having been the first to receive KultureCity’s sensory-inclusive certification for an NBA home arena. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the arena won KultureCity's sensory inclusive venue of the year in 2019. Fans can look forward to a complete in-arena experience with the assurance that the State Farm Arena caters to the needs of everyone, with the sensory room being just one of the ways they ensure a barrier-free environment for enjoying the games and events.
