Sensory backpacks come to several Red Deer locations

Nov 9, 2022 | 6:30 AM

A new way for children to get around local businesses and venues has arrived thanks to some forward thinking by the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity (RDFCC).

In partnership with Variety Alberta, a number of locations now stock sensory backpacks.

The kits are free to rent out when visiting one of the below listed locations, are are meant to support children and youth who live with Sensory Processing Disabilities.

That means they may not have the ability to filter out external stimuli such as loud sounds or bright lights. Backpacks are filled with resources for self-regulation, tactile input, attention focusing tools, and body awareness support items.

“We reached out to Variety Alberta earlier this year to express our interest and through the grant we were able to bring this program to Red Deer. We were able to identify many local vendors that were very excited to help us roll this program out,” says Brendon Laczy, Media & Marketing Coordinator, RDFCC.