MSU’s T.K. Martin Center partners with Athletics, MDRS to provide sensory bags at home football games
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is partnering with MSU Athletics and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide free sensory bags at home football games.
The bags are available to check out at the information booths inside Davis Wade Stadium at West Gate A, North Section 09 and East Gate L during home games. Each bag contains a noise-canceling headset, fidget toys, disposable ear plugs and an information sheet explaining when families can anticipate sudden changes in lights or noises during the football game. Available for individuals of all ages with or without a disability, the bags should be returned to an information booth at the end of the game.
Rebecca Mathis, an assistive technology specialist at T.K. Martin, said the idea of the gameday sensory bags stemmed from families reaching out to the center for help.
“Families asked us to help them think through how they could enjoy a football game with their sensory concerns,” Mathis said. “Noise-canceling headphones are allowed in the stadium, but if you don’t have to go through security with it, that just makes it a little easier on everybody.”
The sensory bags are funded by MDRS’s Project START, a federally funded assistive rehabilitative technology initiative.
“This is a perfect example of our team identifying a need and ensuring the entire family can enjoy our gameday atmosphere,” said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, which houses T.K. Martin. “We are beyond thankful for our partnership with Project START and their willingness to think creatively about how we can use assistive technology in recreation and socialization.”
MSU’s College of Education, home of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities and the T.K. Martin Center, also includes five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.