WHEELING — Easterseals Rehabilitation Center is teaming with Rotary Club of Wheeling and Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre to present the venue’s first Sensory-Friendly Sunday Matinee featuring the Pixar classic adventure, “Finding Nemo,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
The screening is designed to provide a welcoming environment to people regardless of their sensory processing abilities. The theater house lights will be dimmed but not off, and the movie volume will be lowered. Guests will not be required to stay seated and silent.
“The keys to a sensory-friendly movie are lights up, sound down and move around,” Easterseals marketing director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said. “Some families may avoid taking their children with sensitivities to the movies because they don’t want to disrupt others. This provides a welcoming and inclusive space for them to enjoy the movie theater experience.”
The 166-seat Towngate Theatre offers an elevator and wheelchair seating in the front row. In addition, Towngate will show the movie simultaneously in the first-floor lobby to accommodate additional wheelchair users and guests who may prefer that setting.
Towngate will be selling popcorn, water and soda. In case of food allergies or sensitivities, guests may bring their own food and drinks.
Admission is free, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wheeling, a longtime supporter of the Easterseals mission to serve children with disabilities and their families, regardless of financial means.
“Rotary has a long history of bringing community leaders together in service above self. Supporting the wonderful work of both Easterseals and Oglebay Institute, to brighten the lives of children and their families by highlighting inclusivity, fits perfectly in our efforts to make our city a better place for all with whom we share it,” Rabbi Joshua Lief, Rotary charity committee chair, said.
Towngate Theatre director Tim Thompson said he is excited Easterseals is bringing this opportunity to the theater.
“At Oglebay Institute, we believe in access to the arts for all ages and abilities,” Thompson said.
He added: “The movie ‘Finding Nemo’ has such a positive message about acceptance and overcoming obstacles. It reminds us that through whatever challenges we face, we should ‘just keep swimming.’”
The movie is rated G and is one hour and 40 minutes long. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The movie starts promptly at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but Easterseals will accept donations. Registration is requested at https://tinyurl.com/FindingNemoRegistration.
