COLUMBIA, S.C. — Saturday was disability celebration day at the South Carolina State Museum.
Kids from all over the Palmetto State got a chance to check out a silent disco, sensory room, and interactive space exhibit and contribute to this massive group art project on the ground.
Garion and his mother, Michelle, from northeast Columbia, showed up to learn more about the resources offered to individuals with autism in our Midlands community.
They said they enjoyed the day, not having to mask, and learning about the Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) program, early intervention, and a new inclusive dance company.
The two explained they plan to be back next year.
"It is very meaningful as a parent. We get to socialize in an environment where we're not as judged for his different needs," museum visitor Michelle Floyd visitor said. "We get to find resources 'cause it's actually really, really hard to find resources on our own."
The museum's manager of education and interpretation said resources are a significant need, and they hosted the event to make everyone feel welcome.
"What we heard from our families when we were trying to do our accessibility mornings, we kept hearing from them, I just don't know what's available to me. I don't know what resources are out there for me, I'm scared, I'm alone, I'm tired. I want to help my child, but I don't know how. So we knew from that moment on, every single accessibility morning and every single disability celebration day we have, we are going to have a resource fair for those families," said Laura Ybarra-Kane, manager of education and interpretation.
Ybarra-Kane said they had 12 community partners involved last year, and there were over 30 this year.
"So if we're going to tell the story of South Carolina, it has to include every voice and everyone. And if we're not including everybody, and that includes our disabled community, then we're not telling every story, so that's why we're so passionate about this. It's for everyone and we want everyone to feel welcomed and at home in their state museum."
Beyond this yearly event, the museum also has an accessibility morning on the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
The museum offers a wellness room, an adult-sized changing table, sensory bags, noise-canceling headphones, and communication cards on a regular basis.
Ybarra-Kane said this is the second year they've hosted this event.