For the occasion, the organization is teaming up with Giant Steps, a leader in education, community training, and advocacy for the lifelong inclusion of autistic individuals in all sectors of society, and with Hockey Adapté, a sanctioned initiation to hockey program reserved for autistic hockey players between the ages of 6 and 17.
Autism is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental, spectrum condition that affects how a person thinks, learns, experiences their environment, and communicates and interacts with others. Autistic individuals experience autism differently, with their own strengths and challenges. The 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth revealed that 1 in 50 Canadian children aged 1 to 17 years are diagnosed as autistic.
"We believe the game of hockey is a powerful platform for any participants to build character, foster positive values and develop essential life skills. It is important for our organization that everyone feels welcomed and we are proud to support actions and programs for the inclusion of autistic children and individuals in our sport," said Geneviève Paquette, Vice-president of Community Engagement with the Montreal Canadiens.
On April 1st, for their game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Canadiens players will wear special helmet decals adorned with a multi-colored infinity sign symbolizing neurodiversity, the broad and diverse spectrum of experiences of autistic people, and the importance of autism acceptance. Youngsters from Hockey Adapté and the Giant Steps School will attend the game thanks to the generosity of Ford Canada, the Club's corporate partner. The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation's private suite will also host autistic youth for the game.
"We are very pleased with the Montreal Canadiens support of our organization and the neurodiverse hockey community. Hockey Adapté believes that youth with autism have the right to enjoy playing hockey in an environment that meets their needs. The actions taken by the Montreal Canadiens help make the game more accessible, inclusive and welcoming," said Vicky Jolicoeur, Communications and Regional Support Lead of Hockey Adapté and mother of a boy on the autism spectrum.
Fans attending Saturday's game are invited to visit one of the client experience counters located at section 121 and 330 to meet with representatives from Giant Steps to better understand services and resources available to guests and fans with sensory needs during hockey games at the Bell Centre. Sensory bags containing fidget tools and noise-cancelling headphones are available for checkout at no cost by leaving an ID at the client experience counters.
"Giant Steps is thrilled to partner and collaborate with the Montreal Canadiens to help make the experience for autistic fans even more inclusive at the Bell Centre. We thank the organization for the opportunity to educate their personnel on being more attuned to the needs of autistic individuals and to develop tools that will help families and autistic adults better prepare for their game-day experience," added Tania D'Alesio, Director General of Giant Steps.
Furthermore, the Montreal Canadiens and the Bell Centre have embarked on a pilot project in collaboration with Giant Steps for a multi-faceted initiative that will focus on staff training, evaluation of event experience and sensory considerations during hockey games, as well as exploring best practices in autism-inclusive hiring.
On Sunday April 2nd, which marks World Autism Day, adapted guided tours of the Bell Centre will be offered free of charge to youth of partners in this pilot project. Throughout the month of April, members of Autisme Montreal will also benefit from a 15% discount on guided tours of the Bell Centre. Finally, admission to guided tours of the Bell Centre is free at all times for those accompanying a person with a disability or special needs and holding a Companion Leisure Card (CAL) issued by the Association québecoise pour le loisir des personnes handicapées (AQLPH).
