mobile multi-sensory room
the nsdrc has created canada's first mobile multi-sensory environment
We built our multi-sensory environment on wheels with community in mind. It’s a health and wellness resource that can be used by children, young adults and the elderly in schools, hospitals and care facilities, first-responder communities, and so many more.
Making sense of our senses in times of uncertainty.
Sight. Sound. Touch. Smell. Taste. The world is full of sensory stimuli and we don’t all respond in the same way. Some of us struggle to find ways to make sense of, balance, and regulate our physical, cognitive, emotional, and social responses to what’s going on in our lives, especially in times of stress and high anxiety. Instead of using medication to calm or engage people, let's stimulate their senses instead.
The Mobile Multi-sensory Room is ready to hit the road!
The opportunity to benefit from the Mobile Multi-sensory Room lies anywhere across the Lower Mainland where people experience anxiety and stress and need a space to relax and ground themselves.
Read on to learn more about the van and how to book it to visit your home or workplace.
HOW MULTI-SENSORY ENVIRONMENTS CAN HELP
Multi-sensory environments (sometimes referred to as Snoezelen® Rooms*) are safe, relaxing spaces, designed to stimulate the senses to bring peace, calm, and wellness. Appropriate for all ages and abilities, the NSDRC’s Mobile Multi-sensory Room can be customized with a multi-sensory or single-sensory focus. Gentle light, soothing sound, relaxing smells, and touch can calm those feeling agitated and anxious; exciting visuals, music, sounds and touch can engage and stimulate those feeling disconnected and withdrawn.
Read more in the North Shore News:
Mobile multi-sensory room could be a first of its kind, says North Van non-profit
* Multi-sensory environments were first created by Dutch therapists in the 1970s and were called Snoezelen® Rooms (the word Snoezelen is a contraction of the Dutch verbs “snuffelen” - to seek and explore, and “doezelen” - to relax).
accessibility
Meet Jim and learn about the Mobile Multi-Sensory Room's accessibility features.
calming
Meet Saajin and learn about the Mobile Multi-Sensory Room's calming features.
take a look inside our van
Here is some of the equipment you will find inside our mobile multi-sensory environment. Please note that due to current COVID-19 health restrictions, fabric items that require frequent laundering may not be available to you during your session.
visit the mobile multi-sensory room at the NSDRC office, or have it come to you
The Mobile Multi-sensory Room is a true community resource; in addition to its use in NSDRC programming, our friendly and reliable facilitators will travel across the Lower Mainland to share it with others.
Rates and Rental Details
There is no one-size-fits-all pricing because there is no one-size-fits-all need. That's why we work with you to customize your Mobile Multi-sensory Room packages.
- Families may opt to have the van come to their home, or visit the van at our office.
- Some organizations will schedule our multi-sensory environment to be onsite once or twice a month, to complement other self-care resources they make available to their employees, students, residents, and clients.
- Schools may opt to have the van on-site during school hours, and make it available to multiple students throughout the day.
- Other organizations will choose to use the van at special events and engagements held throughout the year.
covid-19 precautions
- The Multi-Sensory Room is regularly cleaned using an Electrostatic Spray Disinfection system as well as disinfecting wipes (such as Lysol and Cavi wipes) to ensure your safety before and after each use.
- Room capacity is two (2) people. Only one (1) user and a facilitator who is part of that user's ‘bubble’ will have access to the room during the session.
- Hand sanitizer is available for use before and after each session.
- The NSDRC employee on-site will wear a mask during sessions. For your safety we highly recommend users also wear a mask.
- Users will be required to complete an online health screening check prior to use.
contact
If you have specific questions we haven't covered here, please contact Kathleen Jessop at k.jessop@nsdrc.org.
Thank you to our Mobile Multi-sensory Room sponsors
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North Shore Disability Resource Centre
3158 Mountain Highway
North Vancouver, BC
V7K 2H5
phone: 604-985-5371
fax: 604-985-7594
email: nsdrc@nsdrc.org
connect with us
The NSDRC was started by a group of families in 1976. In the years since, we have worked for a "Community for All" by developing and providing community housing, infant development programs, youth groups, community-based services, and information and advocacy.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work, live and play on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.