ATP Explores Ford Field

On Friday, March 15, students in the Adult Transition Program visited Ford Field for a behind the scenes tour. A student in the program organized the field trip with her sister, Amanda Moss, who works at Ford Field. Ms. Moss described the tour as a sensory friendly tour for students with disabilities.

ATP teacher Jennifer Plater shared, “This community based instruction opened up the possibility for students to come back in the future to attend an event because of the prior sensory friendly tour, helping them curb their anxiety and have a great time.”

On the tour, students learned about the different jobs that take place throughout the facility, including Ms. Moss’s own position as a data analyst in the war room! Students toured the press box on the 7th floor and saw the aerial view of the stadium. Next, students toured the war room and learned how the analysts look at video and data monitors in the stadium to see how many people are in their seats, how many people are at concession stands and what is being purchased the most at the concession stands, among other things. Next on the tour, students visited the team locker room and the Lions locker room. Finally, students were able to walk through the tunnel and run onto the field like the Lions do. Students had the opportunity to run the full length of the field and take photos at the 50 yard line.

Throughout the presentation, students were able to ask questions like, what is the favorite food of the stadium? Answer: pizza!

At the end of the tour, Ms. Moss provided gift bags to the students to memorialize the experience.