One year after opening its sensory calming room, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, in partnership with SSM Health and the Treffert Center, is recognizing the impact of a space intentionally designed to support sensory needs, promote regulation, and broaden what inclusion looks like in hospitality.
The calming room was created so individuals with unique sensory experiences have a place to pause, reset, and reconnect at their own pace. Grounded in sensory-informed design, the room features adjustable lighting, flexible seating, and a variety of tools that support comfort, regulation, and choice.
At its core, the space reflects a shared belief that inclusion is not only about access, but about creating environments where individuals can fully participate and experience a sense of belonging.
“Over the past year, this space has become an important part of how we care for our guests,” said John Chastan, General Manager of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells. “It reflects our commitment to creating experiences where individuals and families can engage in ways that work best for them.”
Expanding What Participation Looks Like
For many guests, the calming room has meaningfully changed the experience of visiting a high-energy environment. Rather than needing to leave when sensory needs arise, individuals and families now have the option to step away, regulate, and return, remaining connected to the moments that matter.
Guest feedback has highlighted how the space creates new opportunities not only for regulation, but also for connection, confidence, and participation in ways that may not have felt possible before.
A Partnership Rooted in Possibility
The collaboration between Kalahari Resorts & Conventions and SSM Health, including the Treffert Center, reflects a shared, strengths-based view of health and well-being. This approach recognizes sensory differences as a natural and valuable part of human diversity.
“At SSM Health, and through the Treffert Approach, we strive to explore, cultivate, and amplify human potential by shaping a world that asks not what’s wrong, but what’s possible,” said Meg Puddy, director of Behavioral Health Services. “This space brings that philosophy to life. When we design environments that honor different ways of experiencing the world, we create opportunities for individuals to engage more fully, connect more meaningfully, and thrive.”
The calming room is one example of how healthcare and hospitality can come together to support whole-person well-being by extending thoughtful, inclusive design beyond clinical settings and into everyday experiences.
Looking Ahead: Building Inclusive Environments
As the partnership enters its second year, both organizations are exploring opportunities to expand sensory-inclusive practices across the guest experience, enhance education for staff and families, and continue advancing environments that support a wide range of needs and preferences.
Together, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells and SSM Health are demonstrating that inclusive design benefits not only individuals with identified sensory needs, but anyone seeking moments of rest, regulation, and balance.
The calming room stands as a reflection of what is possible when organizations align around a shared purpose: creating spaces where everyone can participate, feel supported, and belong.
