Ruth Haines
Airports can be overwhelming environments, with bustling crowds, loud announcements, and bright lights. Recognising this, many airports have introduced sensory rooms to provide a soothing environment for travellers with sensory sensitivities. These rooms are designed to alleviate sensory overload and help passengers feel at ease during their travel experience. They often feature soft lighting, comfortable seating, calming sounds, and sometimes even fish tanks. By addressing sensory challenges, airports can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide a quiet, calm, and peaceful environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities |
| Target Users | Neurodiverse passengers, individuals with autism, anxiety, or other sensory processing disorders |
| Features | Soft/adjustable lighting, comfortable seating, sensory toys, speakers with calming sounds, aquariums, bubble columns, art gallery |
| Location | Usually located in each terminal concourse, away from bustling terminals |
| Availability | Open seven days a week with varying hours, e.g. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
Airports are overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities
Airports are busy, bustling places with loud announcements, bright lights, and hard, uncomfortable seating. For most people, this is merely an inconvenience, but for those with sensory sensitivities, it can be overwhelming and stressful. Autism, anxiety, and other sensory processing disorders can make the airport experience particularly challenging to navigate. The crowds, noise, and visual stimulation can be daunting and cause sensory overload.
Sensory rooms in airports aim to address these challenges by providing a quiet, calm, and supportive environment. These rooms are designed to be a haven from the chaos of the airport, with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing sounds. Some even feature water-filled "bubble columns", aquariums, and art to help soothe anxious nerves. These rooms are a vital step towards fostering inclusive and accessible travel for all.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for example, has recently opened a sensory room at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal A. This room provides a space for those on the autism spectrum to cope with the stress of flying. With beanbag chairs and multicolored carpets, it offers a comfortable and soothing environment. Similarly, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport offers the "Sensory Room of Magic," which provides adjustable lighting, sensory toys, and comfortable seating.
These rooms are a welcome development for families with special needs. As Tondra Lynford, whose daughter has autism, said, "We had to unexpectedly spend a night in an airport due to a flight issue... She immediately became very, very agitated... The new sensory room in Newark Airport 'represents a significant stride in making travel less stressful for families like ours'". With increasing awareness and advocacy, more airports are embracing the importance of creating sensory-friendly spaces to ensure comfortable and stress-free travel for all.
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Sensory rooms help passengers feel at ease
Airports can be overwhelming environments for many travellers. The bustling crowds, loud announcements, and bright lights can be a daunting and stressful experience for those with autism, anxiety, or other sensory processing disorders. Sensory rooms in airports provide a calm and supportive environment, helping passengers feel at ease during their travel journey.
Newark Liberty International Airport, for instance, has a sensory room in Terminal A, designed to help people on the autism spectrum cope with the chaos of flying. The room features soft lighting, comfortable seating, speakers that play calming sounds, and fish tanks—all elements that work together to create a soothing atmosphere.
Similarly, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport offers the "Sensory Room of Magic," a serene space with sensory toys, adjustable lighting, and comfortable seating. Shannon Airport in Ireland has a similar offering, providing a quiet and relaxing atmosphere with sensory toys, adjustable lighting, and a peaceful setting away from the bustling terminals.
The Indianapolis Airport Authority has taken a unique approach with their sensory rooms, incorporating a rotating art gallery in partnership with the CompleteLife program. This initiative showcases artwork by patients, caregivers, and staff, adding an element of creative therapy to the calming environment.
These sensory rooms are a step towards fostering inclusive and accessible travel experiences. By addressing sensory challenges and implementing strategies to navigate them, airports are creating a more welcoming atmosphere for all passengers, ensuring that everyone can travel with comfort and ease.
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Features of sensory rooms
Sensory rooms in airports are designed to provide a calm and supportive environment for individuals with autism, dementia, anxiety, or other sensory-related conditions. These rooms help passengers feel at ease during their travel experience and alleviate the sensory overload often experienced in busy public spaces. Here are some common features of sensory rooms in airports:
Soft and Adjustable Lighting
Soft lighting is a common feature in sensory rooms, creating a calming atmosphere and reducing visual overwhelm. Some rooms also offer adjustable lighting to cater to different preferences and needs. For example, the sensory room at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport features adjustable lighting, while Seattle-Tacoma Airport's sensory room includes dimmable lighting and a starlit sky.
Comfortable and Flexible Seating
Sensory rooms typically provide comfortable seating options, such as bean bag chairs, plush lounge chairs, or cozy seating that moves or compresses the body. These seats offer a relaxing space for passengers to rest and escape the crowds of the airport.
Sensory Aids and Toys
Some sensory rooms include sensory aids and toys to help individuals with sensory sensitivities. These tools provide tactile and interactive experiences that can be calming and distracting from the overwhelming airport environment.
Calming Visuals and Sounds
Sensory rooms may incorporate calming visuals such as bubbling water walls, aquariums, or calming artwork. These visual elements provide a soothing focus and reduce anxiety. In addition, speakers projecting calming sounds, such as the sound of water, can enhance the tranquil atmosphere.
Quiet and Serene Environment
Sensory rooms are often designed as quiet spaces, away from the bustling terminals and loud announcements. They offer a peaceful retreat for individuals seeking a break from the sensory stimulation of the airport.
Interactive and Tactile Features
Some sensory rooms include interactive and tactile features such as touchable activity panels, bubble tubes, and tech-based games. These features provide engaging distractions and cater to different sensory preferences.
The specific features of sensory rooms can vary across airports, but they all aim to create an inclusive and accessible environment for travellers with sensory sensitivities. These rooms address the unique challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders, fostering a more welcoming and comfortable travel experience.
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Airports embracing sensory rooms
Airports are increasingly embracing sensory rooms to foster inclusive and accessible travel experiences for passengers with sensory sensitivities. These rooms provide a calm and supportive environment, helping travellers feel relaxed and comfortable amidst the chaos of flying.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has introduced the "Sensory Room of Magic," a serene and peaceful environment equipped with sensory toys, adjustable lighting, and comfortable seating. The room caters to individuals with sensory sensitivities, offering a tranquil haven away from the bustling terminals.
Shannon Airport, Ireland
Shannon Airport in Ireland has established a sensory room that prioritises a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Similar to the BHM airport, it includes sensory toys, adjustable lighting, and comfortable seating.
Indianapolis Airport
The Indianapolis Airport Authority has added sensory rooms to each terminal concourse, designed as calming and quiet spaces for passengers seeking a respite from the airport's sensory stimulation. These rooms feature variable lighting, a range of seating options, and a unique rotating art gallery through a partnership with the CompleteLife program. The art displayed in the sensory rooms is created by patients and staff at the Simon Cancer Center, adding a therapeutic dimension to the space.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport recently unveiled a sensory room at Terminal A, joining other airports in accommodating travellers with disabilities. The room, developed in consultation with the Anderson Center for Autism, features soft lighting, beanbag chairs, multicoloured carpets, calming sounds, and even fish tanks. It aims to alleviate sensory overload and help individuals on the autism spectrum manage the stress and anxiety associated with flying.
Heathrow Airport, London
Heathrow Airport in London has also embraced the concept of sensory rooms, establishing spaces equipped with specialised facilities to accommodate travellers with sensory sensitivities. These rooms contribute to an inclusive travel experience, ensuring that all passengers can feel welcomed and comfortable during their journey.
The inclusion of sensory rooms in airports is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible travel industry. By addressing the unique needs of individuals with sensory sensitivities, airports are transforming what can be a daunting experience into one characterised by comfort and ease. These dedicated spaces empower travellers with the tools and environment they need to navigate their journeys with increased confidence and serenity.
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Advocacy for sensory rooms
Airports can be overwhelming environments for many travellers, especially those with autism, anxiety, or other sensory processing disorders. The crowds, loud announcements, and bright lights can make navigating an airport a daunting and stressful experience. Sensory rooms in airports aim to address these challenges by providing a calm, quiet, and supportive environment, helping passengers feel at ease during their travel journey.
Sensory rooms are designed to alleviate sensory overload, offering respite from the chaos of the airport with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing sounds. Some rooms also feature water-filled "bubble columns", aquariums, and even artwork to provide a peaceful and serene atmosphere. These spaces are vital in fostering inclusive and accessible travel, ensuring that everyone can travel with comfort and ease.
The establishment of sensory rooms in airports is a result of advocacy and increased attention to hidden disabilities. With autism-friendly spaces already in many museums, theme parks, and stadiums, airports were seen as the final frontier. The availability of these rooms in airports like Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Shannon Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Indianapolis Airport, among others, is a significant step forward in accommodating travellers with sensory sensitivities.
The impact of sensory rooms is profound, as illustrated by the Lynford family, who experienced a stressful overnight stay at an airport due to their daughter's autism. The new sensory room at Newark Airport "represents a significant stride in making travel less stressful for families like ours", said Tondra Lynford, whose daughter became agitated and distressed by the idea of sleeping in the airport. Sensory rooms can make a tangible difference in the travel experiences of families like the Lynfords.
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Frequently asked questions
A sensory room in an airport is a quiet and relaxing space designed to help passengers with sensory sensitivities. They are often equipped with comfortable seating, soft or adjustable lighting, and soothing visuals.
Sensory rooms in airports are designed to be calming and usually have soft lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing visuals. Some may also have water-filled "bubble columns", fish tanks, and speakers that play calming sounds.
Sensory rooms in airports are designed for neurodiverse passengers who may feel overwhelmed or overstimulated by the multitude of sights and sounds in the airport. They are particularly useful for individuals with autism, anxiety, or other sensory processing disorders.
Several airports around the world have introduced sensory rooms, including:
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport ("Sensory Room of Magic")
- Shannon Airport, Ireland
- YVR
- Heathrow Airport, London, UK
- Indianapolis Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- New York LaGuardia
- San Diego
