A neurodivergent child and a neurotypical actor put on hats, along with a neurotypical actor, behind an open wooden box on the Ford’s Theatre stage. His parents take photos of them.

Actor Chris Stinson and participants during the October 2023 Ford’s For Me sensory-friendly museum experience, on the Ford’s Theatre stage. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Ford’s For Me

A sensory-friendly museum program designed to create a welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

Approximately 2 hours.

Recommended for ages 6+

Accessible

Ford’s Theatre is committed to accessibility at all levels and is thrilled for the return of Ford’s For Me, in partnership with the National Park Service. This free sensory-friendly museum program creates an experience that is welcoming for families and people with sensory sensitivities who might benefit from an adjusted environment, including those with autism. This fall, stay tuned for more programming for older children and young adults! Adaptations for this museum experience may include:

Pre-visit social narrative and other preparatory materials describing what to expect
Lower sound levels, especially for surprising or loud sounds in the exhibits
Thematic activities
Reduced wait times
Limited crowds at Ford’s Theatre during the day and time of the experience
Ford’s Theatre staff trained to be inviting and accommodating to patrons’ needs; and
Allowance for the use of tablets and smartphones for communication.

Learn more about Ford’s Theatre accessibility options at the link below.

Accessibility at Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre accessibility programs are supported by the Liberty Mutual Foundation.

Pre-Visit Materials

We invite you to explore these pre-visit materials to prepare for your experience at Ford’s For Me.

Ford’s For Me Testimonials

“Staff was absolutely amazing!! It is nice to know that everything is thought of for a calm, educational, and enjoyable event.”

Event Attendee, 2019

“This was an amazing experience and was even better than we had hoped. The social story beforehand was amazing … Thank you for putting all the time and effort into the event.”

Event Attendee, 2019

“Thank you to the staff at the event. We really appreciate that people get there so early on a Saturday morning so that my family can experience the museum in a setting that works for my son with autism. Thank you for giving us an amazing family experience other typical families might take for grant

Event Attendee, 2019

Past Events

A family with young neurodiverse children dresses up in historical costumes as a Ford’s Theatre staff member takes their photo, in front of a backdrop displaying Ford’s Theatre.

Ford’s Theatre staff Kendra Scott and participants during the October 2023 Ford’s For Me sensory-friendly museum experience, in the Ford’s Theatre museum. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

A neurodiverse child and an actor put on hats behind an open wooden box on the Ford’s Theatre stage. His parents take photos of them.

Actor Chris Stinson and participants during the October 2023 Ford’s For Me sensory-friendly museum experience, on the Ford’s Theatre stage. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

An actor teaches neurodiverse children about Ford’s Theatre, pointing towards the stage right box. Two parents stand to their right.

Actor Chris Stinson and participants during the October 2023 Ford’s For Me sensory-friendly museum experience, on the Ford’s Theatre stage. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Two women sit at a check-in table, a woman wearing an Abraham Lincoln top hat stands near them with another visitor carrying pre-visit materials, and a staff member also wearing a Lincoln hat sits at a table further away.

Staff members and attendees stand in the lobby for check-in during the June 2023 Ford’s For Me: A Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

A man wearing a button-down shirt and a staff badge poses with materials set up for an event at Ford’s Theatre.

Deputy Director of Education Jake Flack stands in front of a large image of the Ford’s Theatre in the Ford’s Theatre Museum during the June 2023 Ford’s For Me: A Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

A man and a young girl, both wearing glasses, sit and watch a video in a museum.

Two attendees watch a video in the Ford’s Theatre Museum during the June 2023 Ford’s For Me: A Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Attendees stand on the Ford’s Theatre stage and meet actors.

Actors Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon in a meet and greet after One Destiny’s sensory-friendly performance, during the June 2023 Ford’s For Me: A Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Staff members help attendees make Abraham Lincoln hats in the Ford's Theatre lobby.

Ford’s Theatre staff members and attendees at the June 2023 Ford’s For Me: A Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Our Sponsors

Accessibility Sponsor