After becoming the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place Philadelphia has now become the first theme park in the United States to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which helps people with non-visible disabilities. The program will launch at the park in early 2025.
The Sunflower, a global initiative, is a wearable tool that signals to Sesame Place Ambassadors that a guest of the park may need extra help, understanding or time due to a disability that may not be immediately apparent. According to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, approximately one in six people live with a disability—approximately 1.3 billion people globally. While some people experience a disability that may be visible, many have a non-visible condition or experience a combination of both visible and non-visible conditions. These invisible disabilities can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual, auditory and include sensory and processing difficulties.
The Sunflower program is completely voluntary, and guests who choose to participate are not required to disclose any personal information or a diagnosis. Guests who would like to participate will be able to pick up a complimentary Sunflower-branded identifier at designated locations around the park to discreetly signal that they may need additional support.
As a Sunflower member, Sesame Place Philadelphia will provide Ambassadors with additional accessibility training resources to increase disability awareness at the park. The introduction of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower will complement the park’s existing accessibility programs, including its Ride Access Program and Special Access Pass, which guests can enroll in at the park’s Welcome Center.
Sesame Place Philadelphia continues to champion inclusivity, earning recognition as the world's first theme park to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in 2018. As a CAC, Sesame Place provides staff with comprehensive training, an IBCCES Sensory Guide, and on-site accommodations for autistic individuals and those with sensory sensitivities. Earlier this year, the park renewed and expanded its certification, with Ambassadors completing additional neurodiversity training. Just last week, Sesame Place introduced ASL Saturdays, a new program with a certified ASL Interpreter available at shows throughout the park on select days.
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