On Jan. 25, 2023, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at AU’s College of Nursing (AUCON) to unveil the new Sensory Activation Vehicle (SAV) donated by the Merrill Stewart Family and KultureCity in Birmingham, Ala. AUCON is the first university in the USA to receive such a vehicle, according to Dr. Julian Maha, CEO of KultureCity, the nation’s leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities. It has provided SAVs in 550 venues in 5 countries.
The idea for providing a sanctuary for children and adults who are overwhelmed by the noise and crowds at such events evolved when Dr. Morgan Yordy, Dr. Ann Lambert, and Student Advisor Cassandra Jones were interested in the concept. The SAV is designed to bring a mobile sensory experience to any event that lacks a physical space for a dedicated sensory room. The trailer ensures that all guests are included in all sporting events in Auburn, and nursing students and faculty will be trained in its use. “Focusing on the segment of the AU creed, 'I believe in a SOUND mind in a SOUND body and a spirit that is not afraid…', we coined the acronym SOUND to stand for Sensory Oasis Under Nursing Direction,” said Yordy.
Maha and his wife Dr. Michelle Kong, both physicians at UAB, explained that the genesis for the sensory booth was in response to their autistic son needing help to calm down during public events. “He loved going to these events, but because of his sensory needs, he was one of those kids that couldn’t last the entire time as the crowds and the noise overwhelmed him. These trailers can help people regulate themselves, calm down and decompress in the privacy of the room. These are currently available at all major baseball and basketball stadiums,” added Maha. “The trailers can also educate the general community about the sensory needs of certain individuals and provide tools to organizations to help individuals to stay through an event so they can become part of the community,” he added.
According to Maha, 1 in 6 individuals has a sensory need or an invisible disability. “These are individuals, with PTSD, autism, dementia, and strokes, just to name a few. Sensory needs are a common medical condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Common sounds, lights, crowds and even certain smells might not only be overwhelming but also cause physical pain. Because of this, these individuals withdraw from communities not by choice but by circumstance as they worry about how the world will accept or include them. KultureCity changes that. We make the ‘nevers’ possible,” he added.
“Lives will be better because of this,” said donor, Merrill H. Stewart, Jr., founder and president of the Stewart/Perry Company Inc. and an Auburn alumnus.
Dean Gregg Newschwander thanked Drs. Maha and Kong for their dedication to helping individuals overcome sensory issues, and for offering the trailer to AUCON. AU’s Vice President of Philanthropy, Rob Wellbaum, thanked KultureCity and the Stewart family for their commitment to Auburn University.
“It is something we’ll be proud of trucking to our events on campus and other sites,” said Yordy. “SAV will be utilized not only on AU’s campus, but within the community as part of the SOUND program.”
“In alignment with Auburn University and Auburn University College of Nursing, we are committed to serving others in our local community and beyond,” said Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, outreach coordinator for AUCON. “Our faculty, staff and students seek to connect with all populations to improve human health through a variety of community initiatives. As Outreach Coordinator, I see this Sensory Activation Vehicle as a primary way to meet the needs of individuals with sensory needs,” she added.
