A place to relax: Sensory rooms transform travel for those with neurodiverse conditions.

Many airports throughout the world, including those in Seattle, Kansas City, Boston Logan International Airport, Minneapolis Airport, Pittsburgh, and Dublin, feature sensory, quiet, or yoga rooms that are intended to assist travelers. A similar facility, accessible to everybody, but tailored especially for neurodiverse travelers, has also been opened at San Francisco Airport.

Seattle Airport designed a room with a starry night ceiling, soft lighting, and a rocking chair. The Hong Kong International Airport has prayer rooms for those who require a peaceful setting. In the meanwhile, Dublin Airport has constructed two sensory chambers. People with sensory issues and their families can find a calm, quiet place at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Chase Centre’s sensory area in San Francisco features puzzles, carpeted walls, cozy seats, and additional sensory-soothing equipment. The space inside Madison Square Garden in New York City features beanbag chairs, tactile items, artwork with bubbles, and lighting that can be adjusted. The Sphere in Las Vegas features two sensory rooms with touch toys.

While Gatwick Airport (UK) features a distinct “interactive zone” that engages the senses with tactile panels, textures, and games to enhance memory, learning, and general motor skills, Birmingham Airport (UK) features play areas and a lounge.

To make travelers feel more at ease and less stressed throughout their journey, the airports in Frankfurt and Munich, Germany, provide sensory rooms or peaceful areas.

Three stadiums in Qatar—Al Bayt, Lusail, and Education City—had sensory rooms made up for spectators during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The areas, which were staffed by professionals and furnished with assistive technology, gave fans a more peaceful setting in which to enjoy games.

“The addition of the sensory room aligns with our mission to create a seamless and stress-free experience for every traveller, ensuring that inclusivity is not just a feature but a core value for us,” says Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), despite the importance of an inclusive and passenger-friendly airport experience.

The BIAL sensory room was created in partnership with Incluzza, a pioneer in the field of disability inclusion, and is supported by EnAble India, a non-profit organization. Several ambient illumination sources, including a bubble tube, galaxy projector, and LED cubes, are among the main characteristics. These sources provide a variety of sensory stimulation, promote visual tracking, and enable customized sensory input.

Through aesthetically calming patterns, the art mural’s organic abstract blobs improve emotional wellbeing. Ball pool, the sensory toy station, and floor and wall projections are examples of interactive features that promote cognitive engagement. Weighted blankets, treatment mats, and crash pads are examples of specialized equipment that promotes relaxation and emotional control. While auditory components like the sound system and white noise machine contribute to a steady and peaceful ambiance, visual and tactile aspects like the optical curtain, infinity mirror, and tactile wall panels promote sensory exploration.

Features that aid with concentration and stress relief include the scent diffuser, lava light, and balance board. The area has been carefully designed to accommodate different sensory requirements, guaranteeing flexibility and inclusivity for every user. The sensory room seeks to provide a sanctuary for self-regulation and relaxation by combining movement-based, tactile, visual, and auditory stimuli.