Espace pour la vie, Giant Steps join forces

Giant Steps and Espace pour la vie have deepened their collaboration to make the five Espace pour la vie museums more welcoming for autistic individuals and their families. Together, they are transforming the museum experience through inclusive design, sensory-friendly practices, and a culture of empathy and understanding.  

With the support of Giant Steps, Espace pour la vie embarked on a comprehensive inclusion process that encompassed audits of each of its museums, staff training, the development of visitor support tools and the testing of a pilot project that led to the creation of Sensory-friendly Moments at the Planétarium. These special sessions, held the last Tuesday and the last Sunday morning of each month, feature reduced lighting and sound, smaller audiences and the freedom for visitors to move in and out of the theatre as needed. Across all five museums – the Biodôme, Biosphère, Jardin botanique, Insectarium and Planétarium – free sensory bags co-created with Giant Steps are available, along with a quiet sensory room at the Planétarium for visitors seeking a calm space.  

Reflecting Giant Steps’ 360-degree approach to inclusion, the partnership extends beyond the visitor experience to also promote neuroinclusion in the workplace. Through the Giant Steps Adult Education Program, offered in partnership with the English Montreal School Board, autistic young adults are now gaining on-the-job experience through internships at Espace pour la vie, beginning with the Biosphère. These opportunities not only build skills and confidence but also model what an inclusive workforce can look like in practice.  

Giant Steps and Espace pour la vie are launching a joint research project to co-develop and validate a practical assessment tool that will help organizations measure and improve neuroinclusion across different sectors.  

“Our partnership with Giant Steps goes beyond accessibility – it’s about belonging,” said Albane Le Nay, director of Operations and Visitor Experience at Espace pour la vie. “Together, we’re learning, adapting and growing so that every visitor feels seen, expected and welcome. The strategy of small steps has truly allowed us to take a giant step forward.” 

Andre Pereira is the director of Marketing and Communications at Giant Steps.