The Akron Zoo is flipping the script on regular programming by hosting three Inclusion Days from March 1-3, welcoming one and all to participate in events celebrating National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Partnering with the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board, the zoo offers free gate admission to folks showing up in a blaze of orange. Visitors donning the vibrant hue are in for a cost-free experience during these select days, an initiative that is not new but certainly noteworthy in its sixth annual iteration.
On Saturday, March 1, visitors can engage with inclusion activity tables, offering a range of animal-inspired activities designed with sensory, communication, and movement considerations. According to the Akron Beacon Journal report, what comes next are animal encounters on Sunday, allowing guests to interact with the zoo's inhabitants up close. To cap the event, Monday will feature a showcase where guests can learn about Assistive Technology, courtesy of the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board.
The nod to inclusivity is part of a larger vision shared by both the zoo and the Developmental Disabilities Board. "At Summit DD, building a community where every citizen is included is at the heart of what we do every day," stated Summit DD Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky in a statement obtained by cleveland.com. The collaboration is praised for celebrating the diversity of abilities within the community.
Regular zoo hours during the off-season, including these Inclusion Days, run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with regular admission typically ranging between $11-$21. However, children under two and parking are always free. The details of the free admission offer have been echoed across local media, including a recent piece by Cleveland19 that highlights the importance of such inclusive initiatives. The zoo’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement is again set to shine under an orange banner this time.
