A Moose Jaw mom with two autistic children believes the Saskatchewan Science Centre discriminated against her family by refusing to accept the kids’ doctor-authorized mask exemptions and downplaying their health conditions.
The mother also wants schools to be aware of the venue’s mask policy if they take mask-exempt students there for field trips.
Chelsey Goodwin wanted to take her two children — ages three and five — to the Science Centre in Regina in late March but called first to ensure the venue would accommodate their condition, she explained. Her children have a diagnosed disability and are non-verbal, making it difficult to wear masks. Therefore, they have mask exemption notes.
“Almost all places have been really good about the fact my kids are non-verbal, and sometimes they don’t understand … the reasoning for wearing masks or keeping socks on in specific areas,” she said.
Goodwin reached the Science Centre’s front desk, where the employee seemed confused about her questions about accommodating her kids’ disabilities. He eventually told her the venue would not adjust its mask policies.
Discrimination, said Goodwin, is “the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds, of ethnicity, age, sex or disability.”
Goodwin accused the Science Centre of discriminating against people with disabilities, which apparently confused the desk clerk more and prompted him to deny the accusation, she recalled. The mother-of-two then spoke with the manager.
“She was kind of straightforward with me, like, ‘Nope, that’s how it goes’ type thing,” Goodwin said. “So then I just asked for the head office’s information.”
Goodwin reached Ryan Holota, the Science Centre’s chief operating officer, and explained the situation and how she felt the venue had discriminated against her kids even though there were no provincial pandemic regulations.
The provincial government lifted all pandemic-related health measures on Feb. 28.
“He was really ignorant,” she said.
The Moose Jaw Express called Holota several times but did not hear back by press time.
On its website, the Science Centre says, “All staff and visitors to the Saskatchewan Science Centre/Kramer IMAX Theatre (except for those under the age of 2) are required to wear a mask at all times. If you are unable to wear a mask for any reason, we invite you to return at a later date.”
Holota suggested that Goodwin was the only person complaining about masks, but she countered that large groups were rallying against such rules, she recalled. He replied that the Science Centre would not make an exception and pointed out that a visitor in a wheelchair was OK wearing a mask.
“I said that has nothing to do with autism. Like, you’re literally combining all the disabilities into one, and that’s unfair to everybody,” Goodwin said.
She then argued the Science Centre did make exceptions by having a wheelchair-accessible building. She also pointed out that not all disabilities are visible and comparing someone in a wheelchair to someone with autism “is wrong.”
She thought the Science Centre’s approach was unacceptable and upsetting.
Goodwin decided not to take her kids because of the mask policy. She explained that she did not tell them about the proposed trip since they had experienced similar discrimination before.
“My children, they may not be able to speak, but they can hear and understand, so I don’t want them to get excited for something and have them disappointed,” Goodwin said, adding she eventually took them to another kid-based fun centre in Regina that accommodated their disabilities.
Goodwin understands the reason for masks but wants to see the Science Centre adapt its venue for people with various disabilities, whether autism or down syndrome. She would consider taking her kids there but would appreciate an apology.
She also hopes the Science Centre accommodates students with disabilities during school field trips. She pointed out that schools are all about inclusion, so she wants to ensure students with mask exemptions can attend with their classrooms.
“The only way to teach and educate society is to explain, reach out and voice when you feel something is wrong,” she added.
