"Starting April 3rd we are excited to announce that through our partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, Rogers Arena will have increased measures to support our guests with sensory needs and can provide more options when they feel overwhelmed by the environment during Canucks games, concerts and events," said Jeff Stipec, Chief Operating Officer, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. "It is through these procedures that we can continue to elevate the fan experience and offer an inclusive, accessible, safe and fun environment for all of our guests at Rogers Arena."
Resources now available at Rogers Arena to fans living with autism include:
"From a young age, my son has been a huge Vancouver Canucks fan," said Tina Chiao, a longtime Canucks Autism Network parent. "But as a child with autism, he faces significant sensory sensitivities and behavioural difficulties that make attending Canucks games a major challenge. These new initiatives give us peace of mind as a family and will create new possibilities for us to make lifelong memories attending Rogers Arena events."
World Autism Awareness Day will be recognized by the Vancouver Canucks in-game on April 3rd with many in-game features. CAN Ambassador Jacob Markstrom will wear a custom-designed mask that was a result of a creative contest that CAN hosted earlier this year. The mask will later be auctioned off by CAN in support of their province-wide programs. In addition, the anthem singer for the night will be Dylan Okimaw, a 13-year-old boy from Kelowna who lives with autism. Fans will also notice commemorative CAN stickers on the backs of all player helmets, lapel pins on all Canucks coaches and broadcasters, extra blue lighting around the exterior or Rogers Arena (the internationally recognized colour of autism), an intermission Tim Hortons minor hockey game featuring CAN's Vancouver Orcas hockey team and a number of special elements throughout the evening that provide and highlight unique opportunities for kids living with autism and their families.
"We are overjoyed to introduce autism accessibility at Rogers Arena," said Katy Harandi, President and CEO of Canucks Autism Network. "These initiatives will ensure that fans living with autism and their entire families will be understood, accepted and accommodated at Rogers Arena events."