CLEVELAND — The Guardians hosted their first Disability Awareness Night on Wednesday. The game opened with the singing of the National Anthem by a set of twins from Cleveland who have autism, Shay and Sharita Taylor.

The twins began singing when they were kids. Sharita Taylor said autism has never stopped them from doing what they love.

“We hope that this inspires other people who have disabilities,” Sharita said.

Matthew Grimes, the Guardians' head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion said that this is one of their initiatives that they are doing to make Progressive Field more accessible.

“We want all individuals in our ballpark, and we realize that we’ve got a lot of work to do to be more inclusive and acceptable, and this is really a starting point for us,” he said. 

The Guardians collaborate with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities to help make Progressive Field a more accessible ballpark, and CEO Amber Gibbs has hopes that Guardians Disability Awareness Night will help reduce stigmas.

“About 31% of Ohioans have a disability of some kind and of course in Cuyahoga County we know that over 14,000 people have a developmental disability," she said. "So having a night like this really says to the community ‘we want everyone to be included. We want everyone to be welcome.'"

Shay Taylor hopes Disability Awareness Night reminds people that those with disabilities can do anything.

“This is a way to show people with disabilities that they can do it, that they can do this," Shay said. "Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, because I know you can."

The ballpark handed out Guardians Disability Awareness t-shirts, and there was a designated cheering section for those with disabilities at the game.