MULTI-SENSORY ROOM ENHANCES COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Press Release

CONTACT: Dorothy H. Viets

Director of Community Relations

(203) 581-5319 or (203) 650-5723 (cell)

dviets@goodwillwct.org

NEW MULTI-SENSORY ROOM ENHANCES GOODWILL

COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Thanks to funding from the Department of Development Services, the growing Community Experience Program at Goodwill Industries of Western Connecticut now offers more equipment and redesigned space to enhance the lives of individuals with severe disabilities. A new, state-of-the-art, multi-sensory room provides bubbles, fans, lights, scents, sounds, and vibrations — all the ingredients needed for stimulation or relaxation. The redesign also provides dedicated space for individuals and small groups to receive special attention.

The white sensory room has a timeless quality which totally removes you from the outside world and generates an atmosphere of calmness. It is filled with controlled multi-sensory devices, including: a mattress that vibrates to music; a projector displaying visuals of sunrises, fireworks and nature scenes on the walls; a selection of reminiscent scents as part of an active aromatherapy program; a colorful tube of bubbles that can be manually manipulated and other sensory tools, such as stress balls, colorful ribbons and vibrating pillows.

The devices focus on gently stimulating the brain while allowing Goodwill staff to maintain interpersonal communications and enhanced human contact with individuals to bring about “joy” and “interest” as well as other positive responses. “We work with individuals with profound intellectual disabilities, autism and psychological disorders. Our sensory room is really adaptable to each of our consumers. It gives them what they need — mild stimulation or relaxation — at different times during the day,” says program manager Erica Loso.

Goodwill staff members already have witnessed the sensory room’s positive impact. Individuals go from an agitated state to a calm state in just a few minutes with the aid of the various sensory devices. One person who has difficulty being near other people was able to spend half an hour in the room with someone else, a milestone for that particular individual. The staff is hoping that this type of therapy will lead to increased socialization opportunities.

The Goodwill Community Experience program provides daily community integration, social interactions and vocational services to seventeen adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program began in 1996, serving just four individuals. Over the years, it has grown to serve up to eighteen people. With the new enhancements, there is now space for 20 participants.

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