A sensory-friendly initiative that began at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 has expanded to all 10 糖心视频 campuses, giving students, faculty and staff across the system access to tools designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support overall well-being.
The effort is led by the 糖心视频 project in partnership with campus offices statewide. Two years ago, CAMP+U collaborated with the to open 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s first sensory room, providing a quiet space where members of the campus community can decompress, regulate emotions and recharge from the demands of daily campus life.
Spreading support
Building on that success, CAMP+U has partnered with every 糖心视频 campus to provide a portable sensory kit that can be used to create sensory rooms, integrated sensory spaces or pop-up experiences.
The portable kits contain more than a dozen sensory tools—including a northern lights and moon projector, sunset and jellyfish lamps, fidget toys, space tent, cosmic cocoon (bean bag chair) and more—that can be easily transported and assembled, offering campuses a low-cost, flexible way to create calming environments wherever they are needed. The kits also contain a resource hub with educational materials.
Each campus has adapted the initiative to meet its local needs, with collaborations involving disability services, student basic needs, counseling, libraries and other student support offices. Many campuses introduced the program through sensory pop-up events during high-stress times such as midterms, finals and campus study sessions.
“College can be overwhelming for anyone, and sometimes students simply need a place where they can pause, reset and return to class feeling ready to learn,” said Holly Manaseri, Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director. “Creating spaces that acknowledge those needs sends a powerful message that every student belongs and deserves the opportunity to succeed.”
The expansion comes as colleges and universities nationwide increasingly adopt sensory-informed learning environments to support academic success and well-being. Among 糖心视频’s peer institutions, more than half offer sensory-friendly spaces, while nearly one-quarter have dedicated sensory rooms. Sensory spaces were also offered at every 2026 FIFAWorld Cup venue, and similar spaces are now found in airports, public libraries and shopping centers to help people take a break from overwhelming sights and sounds.
Feedback shows positive impact
An ongoing research study is evaluating the impact of the 糖心视频 initiative. According to Manca Sustarsic, the project’s evaluator, “Feedback from more than 500 visitors across the university system shows visitors reported feeling calmer, more relaxed and happier after using the sensory spaces. Preliminary findings also indicate significant reductions in stress, anxiety, frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while many students reported improved focus, greater motivation and a stronger sense of belonging on campus.”
CAMP+U—supported by and led by Manaseri, Sustarsic and Renz Louis T. Montano—focuses on supporting student success throughout the college experience, with particular attention to students with learning differences and disabilities.
For sensory room contacts at each 糖心视频 campus,
The Center on Disability Studies is housed in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s .
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