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Description

Museums ensure access to important opportunities for learning, exploration, and community participation; nevertheless, limited staff training and sensory-friendly resources may generate limitations for children and families with sensory processing needs. A needs assessment at La Rodadora Espacio Interactivo in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, highlithed limited staff knowledge of sensory processing and sensory integration, lack of formal sensory-related protocols, and limited sensory accommodations. The purpose of this Capstone project was to improve museum staff and volunteer knowledge, awareness, confidence, and preparedness to support visitors with sensory processing needs and foster inclusive museum experiences. An evidence-based educational intervention was developed based on occupational therapy and sensory integration principles. Due to cycling staff and volunteer schedules, original training modules were merged into one comprehensive presentation addressing sensory processing, sensory integration, signs of dysregulation, communication strategies, and practical sensory-friendly accommodations. Created two sensory kits for visitors to use and a proposal for a sensory room for the museum. Five presentations were conducted to 84 staff and volunteers. Pre- and post-training surveys were used to measure changes in knowledge and preparedness. Among 35 matched responses, scores meaningfully improved after the intervention, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.85). Family survey responses also identified overcrowding, noise, and limited sensory accommodations as barriers and agreed on the need for sensory-friendly hours, self-regulation tools, and visual resources. Findings corroborate the viability and benefit of embedding sensory training into museum staff education to promote accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful participation for visitors with sensory processing needs.

Publication Date

2026

Keywords

sensory integration, sensory processing, inclusive practices, museum accessibility, occupational therapy

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alvarado 

Capstone Site: La Rodadora Espacio Interactivo 

Sensory Journey: Equipping Children’s Museum Staff to Support All Children

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