Easterseals Southern California Partners with Rafi Nova to Offer Mask Designed With Sensory Sensitivities in Mind
Sensory-Friendly Face Coverings Available Feb. 8; Portion of Proceeds Benefits Easterseals
April is Autism Awareness Month;
Donation With Purchase to Easterseals With Code: ESSC
LOS ANGELES — Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), a leading provider of disabilities services, has teamed with socially conscious lifestyle brand Rafi Nova, pioneer of the clear Smile Face Mask, to develop a Sensory-Friendly Mask, available Feb. 8, to benefit children and adults with autism, other disabilities, or anyone who finds wearing a conventional mask uncomfortable.
For individuals with autism and other sensory processing challenges or disabilities, mask wearing can be difficult. A face covering introduces multiple new stimuli, including the fabric's sensation, the pressure of tight elastic bands, and the heat and moisture from breath inside the mask.
According to the CDC, about one-in-54 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). About one-in-six children aged 3–17 years (17%) were diagnosed with a developmental disability as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017, including autism, attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others. Per the Autism Society, ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the U.S. with 3.5 million+ individuals on the spectrum. In the U.S.; 500,000 autistic individuals are transitioning to adulthood.
The premier New England mask maker partnered with ESSC to design a mask with reduced stimuli to address the concerns of people with sensory sensitivities. They consulted with more than a dozen of Easterseals’ therapists, other licensed and certified staff, those working with people who receive services from ESSC, as well as their families and other community members. Over a three-month period, multiple prototypes were tested and revised to achieve a maximally beneficial mask—soft, structured, safe, secure—that provides both comfort and function.
Commented Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Psy.D., ESSC’s Chief Clinical Officer, “There’s little in the marketplace to accommodate people with sensory sensitivities. This soft mask is an outstanding option not only for the autism community, but for all children and adults who I believe will find it uniquely comfortable.”
The Sensory-Friendly Mask retails for $14 (child sizes) and $16 (adults). Available in light blue, light pink, hunter green, black and “Over the Moon” (kids sizes only) at: https://rafinova.com/products/
sensory-friendly-mask?_pos=1&_ sid=402344580&_ss=r
A portion of each purchase will be donated to Easterseals Southern California when you use code: ESSC
Features of the Mask Include:
- Softness: 100% Mulberry silk lining reduces friction and adjustable jersey knit straps clasp behind the head instead of pinching the ears.
- Structured: Minimal design and limited seaming.
- Secure: Adjustable nose bridge ensures the perfect fit and decreases glasses fogging.
- Safe: Special construction lifts the mask off the mouth and highly breathable cotton is used on the exterior.
- Durability: The mask has an antibacterial layer and is reusable and machine washable
- Ease: A clasp on the back ensures ease of putting on and removing. When not on the face, the mask may safely remain on the person and not be lost thanks to an extra strap feature that fastens it behind the neck.
- Social Story: Comes with a visual storytelling designed by therapists that helps children understand mask-wearing necessity.
"Masks must be comfortable and functional for everyone. It's that simple," said Rafi Nova CEO Marissa Goldstein. Earlier this year, the company pioneered transparent masks with their Smile Mask launch to restore visual cues to masked communication. In partnership with ESSC, the Sensory-Friendly Mask represents the next generation of the company's inclusive face coverings designed to protect and reconnect communities.
About Rafi Nova:
Rafi Nova is a socially conscious lifestyle brand on a mission to outfit families with products and accessories designed for everyday adventures while empowering them to connect, have fun and do more good in the world. Founded as a fair-trade fashion brand to equip adventurous families with sustainably made travel bags, the company shifted focus to face masks to solve the urgent needs of families and communities. Veterans of sustainable product manufacturing, Co-founders Marissa and Adam Goldstein named the company after their two sets of twins and travel partners: Raya, Efi, Noa and Eyva.
About Easterseals:
For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for people with disabilities and their families. Each year more than 1.5 million people benefit from Easterseals services across a network of affiliates in communities nationwide. Easterseals makes profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), the largest affiliate of the national Easterseals organization, provides services in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. With nearly 3,000 employees, 60+ service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations, each year ESSC assists more than 13,000 people, providing adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services; veteran employment support; independent living options; and more.
For more information, visit: https://www.easterseals.com/
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My Thoughts:
When I heard about Easterseals and Rafi Nova teaming up to make a sensory-friendly mask I was thrilled! Being a supporter of Autism Awareness, as well as having a younger brother with autism, hearing about these masks made me so incredibly happy. With the stress of the pandemic upon us, the reality is that many with sensory sensitivities are having a difficult time handling the need to bundle up and wear masks. Not all masks are created equal. Some are very bulky. tight, and uncomfortable. Rafi Nova has been making many great and comfortable designs, so I knew that them teaming up with Easterseals would be a great venture!
When I received my pack of masks, the first thing I noticed was the plush texture. You could tell they were made with love as well as care to detail. My other favorite aspects of the mask is the clasp on the back and the adjustment ability. When I placed it on my brother, it was easy to fit to his face. We both tested out the masks and found that breathing was much easier in them than traditional masks. It felt like a nice cushion on our faces that was not restrictive. I myself have asthma so I appreciated that a lot! The masks were easy to wear while out and their designs are stylish too!
The Giveaway:
Easterseals and Rafi Nova were kind enough to off a giveaway in honor of Autism Awareness Month! One lucky reader will win a pack of masks. I know you all are going to love them as much as my brother and I do! Make sure to use the hashtag #SensoryFriendlyMask if you post on social media! Thank you so much to our sponsors for this opportunity!
Connect with Easterseals SoCal:
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Connect with Rafi Nova:
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