Chuck E. Cheese is honoring World Autism Month by offering families of children with autism a National Sensitive Sunday event at all 460 U.S. and Canada locations on Sunday, April 30. The entertainment brand will also host a month-long fundraiser for nonprofit organization Autism Speaks, according to a press release.
The Sensory Sensitive Sunday program was developed in partnership with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders. During the event, Chuck E. Cheese centers open two hours early on the first Sunday of every month and uses dimmer lights and lower volumes on games and in-house to create a calmer environment for children on the spectrum. Specially trained staff are on-hand to help children acclimate to the gaming centers.
The program was launched on April 2, 2017 and Chuck E. Cheese has held more than 18,000 sensory-friendly events.
“Our Sensory Sensitive Sunday program is the only one of its kind on a national scale and is just one of the many ways we deliver on our mission to make Chuck E. Cheese the place ‘Where Every Kid Can Be A Kid,'” David McKillips, CEO of CEC Entertainment, said in the press release. “In addition to our sensory-friendly events, we further our mission by fostering an inviting workplace culture through inclusive workforce education and training programs to better serve our teams, guests and communities.”
“For more than five years, we’ve proudly collaborated with Chuck E. Cheese to drive understanding and inclusion for children with autism and their families”, Keith Wargo, president and CEO, Autism Speaks, said in the press release. “In working together to implement a new education and training program, we’ve taken another step forward in creating more inclusive opportunities for autistic individuals throughout the lifespan, from childhood through adulthood making a world of difference for all people with autism.”
Chuck E. Cheese operates nearly 600 Chuck E. Cheese fun centers and more than 120 Peter Piper venues.
