National Corvette Museum becomes sensory inclusive certified attraction

BOWLING GREEN Ky.-The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green has taken the wheel on how service can be enhanced to those who may be more sensitive to things like loud noises. Guests who need them can now pick up sensory bags.

Inside the bags are items like noise-cancelling headphones, and fidget tools to keep hands busy. The museum’s education coordinator Deb Howard reached out to a nonprofit called KultureCity to receive training to become a sensory certified attraction.

“When a guest stops at the admissions counter, they can check out a sensory bag. Inside the bag are tools that the guest can use to help them have a more enjoyable experience while they’re in the museum,” Howard said.

Over 80% of the staff completed in house and online training modules to learn how to recognize individuals who may have sensory issues, resulting in the museum and the motorsports park receiving this certification.

“I wanted any guest who visits the museum to feel like they’re included. Sometimes people unsure about bringing a friend or family member to a place where they feel the family member might not be understood,” Hoard said.

It’s a way for the museum to enhance service as guests comfortably enjoy the sinkhole simulation, library and archives, and the actual history-making sinkhole itself.

“We wanted everyone to understand what sensory processing is and be comfortable helping a guest who may ask for assistance,” Howard said.

It’s another way for the Corvette Museum staff to get their engines revved up to help guests continue their tour in peace.

“That’s our whole purpose. We want everyone to feel like they’re welcome here and that we understand that they have needs, and we want to help those needs be met,” Howard said.