Easterseals Southern California Is Named The Accessibility Partner Of SoFi Stadium

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), which assists more than 29,000 people with disabilities and their families throughout Southern California, has been selected as the Accessibility Partner of SoFi Stadium. Easterseals is a leading non-profit provider of autism therapy, early education and employment and independent living support for people with disabilities and their families.

“Partnering with Easterseals allows us to create a safe and comforting space that actively supports our fans’ needs,” states Otto Benedict, SVP of Facilities and Campus Operations, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in a release. “SoFi Stadium welcomes everyone, and we are committed to providing an inclusive environment so all guests can enjoy the incredible, global events that take place here.”

As part of a multi-year partnership with SoFi Stadium, committed to advancing disability inclusion and ensuring a positive experience at the stadium for everyone, ESSC will oversee the design of two permanent Easterseals Sensory Spaces, which will offer guests with sensory sensitivities a calming environment when needed.

“Easterseals Sensory spaces embrace the different ways people experience the world, adds Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer, ESSC. “These rooms offer a supportive space to people with sensory sensitivities to pause and regulate, without missing out on the larger experience. This partnership with SoFi Stadium shows what’s possible when inclusion is built into the foundation of public spaces.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Dec. 8 prior to the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Chargers, who are also in partnership with ESSC on initiatives that advance disability inclusion.

On hand to conduct a meet and greet with superfans who receive Easterseals disability services was NFL legend, former L.A. Charger defensive back Desmond King II and the L.A. Chargers Pup Zeus, a service dog sponsored by the Chargers as part of the team’s disability inclusion partnership with Easterseals.

Sensory sensitivities are common among autistic individuals and those with some other disabilities. According to the CDC, 25% of U.S. residents, more than 70 million people across the country, have a disability. Of those, 23% live in California (more than 9 million), nearly 5.5 million of them live in Southern California. One in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a higher prevalence in California, diagnosing one in 19 with ASD.

Easterseals Sensory Spaces will be located on level three of the stadium at the northeast and southwest corners and will be accessible during gamedays, concerts and other events.

Visitors to the new spaces will find soft lighting, tactile fidgets, noise-reducing elements, comfortable seating and tools that support self-regulation. Sensory kits with headphones, sunglasses and fidgets will also be available at guest service centers. Guest Experience staff will receive inclusion training from Easterseals.

In September, SoFi Stadium announced that it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute. This achievement makes SoFi Stadium the only active stadium to hold such a title. The designation is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating of the stadium’s health and safety protocols focused on operational policies, maintenance, stakeholder education and emergency plans for resilience and response.