Noel Beckel is learning to see the world through a different set of eyes.

His son was recently diagnosed with autism.

Beckel says a lot of it is very new to him and it's been a tough learning process.

"It's hard to describe. It's been very, very tough. So many things are not sensory-friendly: they're loud, they're bright," he says.

Beckel was with his family at the Children's Museum this past Saturday, where a sensory-friendly event was being held. He says it was their first time at the event, and it was absolutely amazing.

"You know, we come in here and there's not as many kids, so it's not as loud; they're offering the headphones for the (noise)."

Beckel says accessibility is extremely important.

Beckel, as well as Carrie Habert with Autism Speaks Canada, believe we're headed in the right direction as far as inclusivity and sensory-friendliness. But Habert says there's still a tremendous amount of work to do.

"With the prevalence of autism at one in 68, we need to continue to consider the autism community in everything we do," says Habert.

Lisa Dziedzic is the director of marketing and communications at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She says their sensory-friendly events fall under the umbrella of their Explore-Abilities program, which was created in 2015 with the aim of reducing barriers.

"At the sensory-friendly events, it starts off with accessibility and inclusion training right at a staff level... we have a range of specialized visitor equipment, which includes things like wheelchairs, sunglasses, ear defenders, fidget toys, we even have a designated quiet zone," says Dziedzic.

Dziedzic says the events also have lightened sound and more visual signage.

April is autism awareness month. Habert says the main message is greater understanding leads to greater acceptance.

"When we understand autism more, we can include the community more," says Habert.

Some movie theatres have introduced sensory-friendly screenings, the Royal MTC held a "relaxed performance" last November, and Habert says some of their partners have been holding sensory-friendly Santa visits across the country.

The next sensory-friendly Explore-Abilities morning at the Children's Museum is August 12th. You can learn more at https://childrensmuseum.com/visit/calendar/explore-abilities-morning.