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The B.C. Lions have gone the extra yard to make home games more accessible to their fans.
The CFL team introduced the Gamechangers program on Wednesday in partnership with the Pacific Autism Family Network.
The program takes steps to provide fans on the Autism Spectrum, and their families, a more comfortable game experience cheering on their team at B.C. Place.
“As anyone in our organization will tell you, football is all about family,” said Lions VP George Chayka. “We are both proud and honoured to have an opportunity to join with the Pacific Autism Family Network and bring the joy, excitement and fun of B.C. Lions football to those who would not normally be able to attend games.
Families who are a part of the Pacific Autism Family Network can request tickets and be seated in a thoughtfully selected reserved area.
They’ll also get toolkits for each individual with Autism, or a related order, that is attending the game.
The toolkits contain items to make the game more user friendly, like noise cancelling headphones, earplugs, sensory toys and a visual schedule for game day.
Families who are a part of the Pacific Autism Family Network will be notified ahead of B.C. Lions home games and given the opportunity to be a part of the Gamechangers program.
Tickets will be sent in advance, along with instructions for arrival and a separate visual schedule that supports the lead-up to game day.
“There are so many families in BC who unfortunately cannot attend stadium events because it can be too overwhelming for our loved ones with Autism or related disorders,” says Pacific Autism Family Network Co-Founder, Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia. “We have such an incredible community partner in the BC Lions; they truly want to ensure an inclusive and fun experience for everyone.”
You can learn more about the Gamechangers program and join the Pacific Autism Family Network by clicking this link.