Orlando Magic and Jonathan’s Landing Create Lifelong Memories for Adults and Children with Autism and Other Disabilities by Giving Access to Corporate Suites
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2023) – For many people, enjoying the sights, sounds and excitement of live events can be as simple as buying a ticket. But for children and adults with autism and other disabilities, live sporting and entertainment events can create sensory and logistical barriers.
Through a community partnership with the Orlando Magic, Jonathan’s Landing is changing that access to NBA games for those in Central Florida by launching an innovative program, Events With Jonathan™. Events With Jonathan™ leverages the generosity of businesses and organizations who gift their corporate suites so that those sensory and logistical barriers can be broken down, enabling individuals with disabilities and their families the opportunity to enjoy an amazing experience. Through this partnership program, Jonathan’s Landing makes these suites available to organizations across Central Florida that serve both children and adults with a range of physical and hidden disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, physical and visual impairments, and veterans with PTSD.
While adding sensory rooms to many stadiums and event venues has increased across the U.S., Jonathan’s Landing is using the generosity of corporations to transform their existing suites into sensory suites for organizations serving children and adults with disabilities – providing an unprecedented level of access to individuals and families who never thought attending live events was an option. To make these events affordable and accessible, there is no cost to the organizations, participants or their families aside from parking. Sensory kits are provided at every event in the suite for those requiring additional support. Food and drinks are provided by Jonathan’s Landing with special menus specifically catered in partnership with Levy and the Orlando Magic to address food sensitivities and dietary restrictions.
Events with Jonathan™ is a program of Jonathan’s Landing, a 501(c)(3) based in Orlando, Florida, creating the world’s most comprehensive intentional community for adults with autism across the spectrum of needs and diagnosis. Jonathan’s Landing and the Events With Jonathan™ program are the vision of Orlando father and tech entrepreneur Jason Eichenholz, whose son Jonathan is a young adult with autism.
Jason saw how Jonathan responded so positively to the excitement of events in the more intimate microenvironment of a corporate suite. The larger cushioned chairs, smaller crowds and quiet hallways – plus easy access to restrooms, snacks and food with no lines – made Jonathan comfortable enough to stay for an entire game. “It was the first time in a decade that I was able to take Jonathan to an event like this. Thankfully, the Orlando Magic jumped on board immediately and worked in partnership with us to develop and expand this outstanding program,” said Eichenholz.
After a successful 10-game pilot serving over 150 participants across 10 organizations during the 2022-23 basketball season, the Orlando Magic has made Events With Jonathan™ an official community partnership program for the 2023-24 season with a goal of 25 events and the addition of Michelle DeVos serving as the organization’s first chair.
“The possibility and promise of what Events With Jonathan™ can do for so many in our community to attend events they couldn’t access before is immense,” said DeVos.
The partnership is the first of its kind in the country, with a long-term goal of serving as a pilot for future expansion nationally and remaining consistent with Jonathan’s Landing’s open-source model of sharing learnings and experiences with the world.
Best Buddies, the UCF Center for Autism, Nathaniel’s Hope and the VA are just a few of the great organizations that have already experienced the joy of live events through Events With Jonathan™.
“Events With Jonathan™ provides an opportunity for our families to have accessibility in the community while participating in a sensory-friendly environment with their peers and loved ones,” said Silvia Haas, co-founder and CEO of OCA, an organization that provides behavioral, social, recreational and vocational programs for individuals and families with autism or other disabilities. “The memories that are made from this experience last a lifetime.”
The Events With Jonathan™ team coordinates all pre-event communications and logistics to provide as seamless an experience as possible. Participating organizations only need to choose who gets to come, show up and enjoy the event.
Organizations with corporate suites interested in gifting their suites for an Orlando Magic game or any other sporting or live entertainment event can learn more by contacting Jonathan’s Landing directly at events@jonathanslanding.org. To learn more about Jonathan’s Landing, visit www.jonathanslanding.org or email info@jonathanslanding.org.
About Jonathan’s Landing Foundation
Jonathan’s Landing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a vision to build the world’s most comprehensive residential community for adults with autism across the spectrum of needs. Based in Orlando, Florida, they are committed to building LIVE (housing) and WORK (jobs and career pathing) as equal pillars to build housing for 500 adults with autism, and create 5,000 jobs and meaningful work opportunities.
About the Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning six division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF), which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $29 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 34 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, 2021 G League champions; the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning; and Magic Gaming of the NBA 2K League. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Amway Center – voted by fans No. 1 in the NBA for game experience; honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ Customer Experience Award; named SportsBusiness Journal’s Sports Facility of the Year; and, awarded the Venue Excellence Award (VEA) by the International Association of Venue Managers. For ticket information, visit OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
Contact:
Elisa White
Jonathan’s Landing/Curley & Pynn
ewhite@thestrategicfirm.com
Trish Wingerson
Orlando Magic
twingerson@orlandomagic.com
