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On September 11, 2022, Colebrookdale Railroad is Celebrating Neurodiversity by Slashing Prices and Adding More Seats to Welcome Everyone with Sensory Sensitivities!
Boyertown, PA: Colebrookdale Railroad is Celebrating Neurodiversity by Slashing Prices and Adding More Seats to Welcome Everyone with Sensory Sensitivities!
At 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 11th, 2022, the train will depart from the Boyertown Train Station location at 64 S. Washington St., Boyertown, PA.
Through UNENDING PROMISE’s Sponsorship of this Special Event Train, we are able to offer $10 Dining Class Tickets, $15 First-Class Lounge Tickets, and $45 First-Class Luxury Parlor Tickets! Today – just now – the staff at the Colebrookdale Railroad were able to open the Lounge and add 20 more seats for this important train excursion.
“For years, we have noticed that we have had strong interest from people on the Autism Spectrum. We strive to welcome everyone – a broad spectrum of diversity – which we believe is beautiful and a true reflection of the people who first built this great nation, and whose efforts made possible the Colebrookdale Line over 150 years ago. In past months, we’ve celebrated diversity in different ways, but tomorrow, Sunday, September 11th, on such a historically important date in our unified history, we are celebrating everyone who is woven into the fabric of our communities! In so doing, we want every single person who is neurodiverse to know that they are welcome and have a place here, with us, aboard the Colebrookdale Railroad,” says Educational Program Director, Michele Barrett, M. Ed.
Seats have been selling well and are limited – which is part of the reason we decided to open more seats. We want everyone who wants a seat on our train to know that they are welcome here.
Sensory Friendly Train
This sensory-friendly event will be less crowded, less sensory-stimulating, and less overwhelming for those who may have sensitivities to such things as sight, smell, touch, and sound.
Know what to expect before you arrive. Please watch this video with your child or loved one with sensory sensitivities in advance of this special event. https://youtu.be/CKOiGEL22ZQ
“Even in the best of times, families of and people with Autism often experience uncertainty, distress, and feeling forgotten. Yet, during these economically challenging times, these difficulties are amplified. The welfare of family members who provide home care to people with autism must also be considered.”
“We at the Colebrookdale Railroad want to offer an opportunity for our friends to know that they are not forgotten, but instead that we are doing our best to ensure a safe, comfortable experience for them to enjoy an outing with their loved ones. We hope a few hours with us on the train helps them create new, positive memories during this challenging time,” says Michele Barrett, CRPT Educational Programs Director, certified teacher, and Autism mom.
TIPS FOR RIDERS:
The Quiet Car: Our First Class Lounge Car is designated as The Quiet Car for those who wish to be away from sound and other activities while still enjoying the ride. The Quiet Car will also be a place for any onboard passenger to visit for a moment of calm if necessary. Neither music nor narration will be broadcast in this designated quiet area.
Sound: If you or your loved one have sound sensitivities, please bring headphones to block-out sounds that may be overwhelming including our train's narration; broadcast in our Deluxe Coach, Dining and Garden Cafe cars. Our crossing procedure will be modified to eliminate the horn.
Touch: Complimentary coloring books and crayons will be provided to children. Please bring your sensory toy, fidget, or book to read. We will do our best to stagger boarding times to alleviate a person’s anxiety resulting from waiting in long lines. If you have a weighted blanket or weighted vest – please know that we invite you to bring it with you.
Smell: We will turn-off or remove artificial air fresheners from areas used during the event. We will request that staff refrain from wearing perfume or cologne on the day of the event.
Sight: Please bring your sunglasses or a hat if you have light sensitivities. These may be most useful if you visit the open-air car. Where possible, we will dim lighting or cover intense lighting in the ceiling with fabric during the event.
Taste: We will have our a la carte menu available for purchase while on the train. However, we understand many have special dietary considerations; therefore, an exception has been made. We encourage anyone with food allergies or sensitivities to bring their own drinks and snacks.
Related articles that demonstrate the strong link between autism and interest in trains.
For Autistic Boys, the Subway Is Actually Soothing
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What Is It About Autism and Trains?!
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Attention capture by trains and faces in children with ... - NCBI
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by NE Scheerer · 2021 · Cited by 1 — This research aimed to determine whether this propensity in autistic individuals leads to stronger attention capture by trains, and perhaps weaker attention ...
Why do Autistic People LOVE Trains?
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Feb 16, 2020 — This means that, for some, our connection with trains will be purely based around gaining technical know-how; as our minds, which crave to know ...
Children With Autism, Connecting via Transit
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Feb 8, 2022 — We're going to touch on the main ones that we've come across in our research and in our experience over the years. I've been selling train ...
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