This marks the third year that the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will host Morning at the Mall, part of a Smithsonian-wide program entitled Morning at the Museum. Led by the Smithsonian Accessibility Program, Morning at the Mall is designed to allow individuals with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities to experience the Folklife Festival in a calm and welcoming environment.

On Saturday, June 27, the Folklife Festival will open at 10 a.m.—one hour early—for registered families to experience the Festival without the distraction of music, loud noises, and crowds.

Museum education staff, self advocates, parents, teachers, therapists, and other professionals have gathered together to create a series of pre-visit materials to help children with disabilities and their families prepare for their trip to the Festival.

The following materials are offered in conjunction with the early opening to describe experiences and provide sensory information and useful tips for the Festival. We hope that they will help you and your family to enjoy your Morning at the Mall.

Download PDF: Morning at the Mall Information Sheet

Download PDF: Social Story—An Introduction to Perú: Pachamama

Download PDF: Morning at the Mall Map

For additional information on the Morning at the Mall or other Morning at the Museum programs, please contact the Smithsonian Accessibility Program at access@si.edu or (202) 633-2921.

Lilli Tichinin is the accessibility coordinator for the 2015 Folklife Festival. Krista Flores, program specialist at the Smithsonian Accessibility Program, contributed to this post.