The XEL FOUNDATION at the Super Bowl LVIII Experience

2024-02-15 10:02 AM

By The R&R Family of Companies

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The XEL Sensory Activation Vehicle, in partnership with KultureCity, was an important fixture at the Super Bowl LVIII Experience at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, for people with sensory needs.

Bright lights, loud crowds, and long lines are all part of the Vegas/football experience; The S.A.V.E and representatives from The XEL FOUNDATION were able to provide a safe space for overwhelmed individuals in need of respite. 

Our partner KultureCity provided sensory bags that included strobe glasses, noise-canceling headphones, a visual cue card, fidget tools, and special wristbands identifiable by staff to provide additional support as needed. Additionally, two miniature horses were there to provide equine therapy for anyone who felt overwhelmed and needed an adorable distraction.

 

How the S.A.V.E Helps

The sensory activation vehicle (S.A.V.E for short) is designed to bring a mobile sensory experience to any event that lacks a physical space for a dedicated sensory room.

This mobile unit provides a safe environment for overwhelmed individuals of all ages. The S.A.V.E:

• Provides a quick sensory refuge for people with sensory needs.
• Enables them to get a short break and then go back to enjoying the event.        
• Enables families to attend these events together and include their loved ones with sensory needs.

With thousands of people at this year’s Super Bowl Experience, we are proud to say that the vehicle helped over 200 neurodiverse visitors and nearly 1,000 sensory bags were handed out during the time at Mandalay Bay.

How the NFL is Promoting Inclusion

The NFL has made incredible strides toward making its events and facilities more inclusive to neurodivergent individuals. For the first time, the NFL hosted “Sensory Hours” on Thursday, February 8, from 1 pm to 3 pm that was “dedicated to providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities.” The experience during these hours included dim lighting and a low-noise environment with minimal announcements. 

Inclusion doesn’t stop with neurodivergent individuals. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior project, and as a thank you to service members and their families, the NFL offered free admission to the Super Bowl Experience on Wednesday, February 7. Many veterans are impacted daily by PTSD and sensory processing issues, so we were glad to be there with the S.A.V.E to provide a quiet and comfortable spot.

Inclusivity at Allegiant Stadium

We partnered with KultureCity on the S.A.V.E because of the organization’s commitment to “making the nevers possible by creating sensory accessibility and inclusion for those with invisible disabilities.”

The Sensory Activation Vehicle at the Super Bowl Experience wasn’t the only saving grace during the game time festivities. KultureCity partnered with the stadium to provide sensory kits and bags for guests just as they had at the Super Bowl Experience. These bags were available to check out at guest experience kiosk locations inside the stadium at no cost and included the same items that were handed out at Mandalay Bay. 

Allegiant Stadium has recently upgraded the Ford Sensory Room for guests with sensory processing needs. This room is located on the 050 level inside the Northeast Entry lobby and provides a safe and calming environment to help guests that might be feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Learn More About The XEL Foundation

The XEL FOUNDATION, powered by the R&R Family of Companies, was founded to support individuals with autism through research and inclusion. We are proud to provide support to continue to grow the foundation’s positive momentum.

There are multiple ways to give back and get involved with the foundation:

• Newsletter: Subscribe to The XEL FOUNDATION newsletter to stay up-to-date. There are many exciting announcements coming later this fall!
• Online Donation: Make an online donation.
• Online Store: Make a purchase from The XEL FOUNDATION online store.
• Volunteering: Contact us to see how you can get actively involved with volunteer work for The XEL FOUNDATION. 
• Corporate Donation Program: Talk to us about setting up a recurring donation program for your business so you can be Powered by Purpose, too! Just as the brands within the R&R Family of Companies donate $.54 for every truckload moved, we can help set up a similar program that’s specific to the products or services that your company offers.