In the United States alone, over two million school-aged children have a disability, and studies show that this number is growing. With this population on the rise, it is important that society keeps up by providing accessible activities at every level, including in school activities and extracurricular opportunities. One of the ways that this can be done is by creating summer camps that are accessible to all children of all abilities—this helps normalize all levels of ability for all children.

While it’s clear that COVID-19 has changed life as we know it, it’s unclear just how much it’s impacting certain demographics, such as individuals with disabilities. Initial research reveals that the pandemic has increased psychological distress across the board. Physical distancing and economical impacts have their own consequences, but marginalized populations such as individuals with disabilities have even less access to supportive networks and resources.

Sensory rooms serve individuals with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, and learning difficulties. The sensory room provides a safe environment that helps build confidence in individuals who are frequently overstimulated. In the process, they learn to engage with sensory stimuli at their own speed, and their caretaker or teacher can better understand what stimuli is soothing or overwhelming for them.