Passengers with autism, neurodivergence, other non-visible disabilities and assistance needs will now be able to enjoy a state-of-the art sensory zone as they wait to board their flights in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.
The Sunflower Room facility offers two sensory rooms with interactive features as well as a quiet room space with comfortable seating, low-level lighting and minimal stimuli.
The rooms include bubble tubes, infinity mirrors, light projectors, brightness- and color-adjustable lighting, and weighted, padded furniture.
The design of the rooms and the different types of furniture accommodate passengers who wish to sit, stand or lie down when using these spaces. At the entrance are flight information screens, so that those using the facility can quickly and easily check for updates and information.
Ed Kibblewhite, head of terminal services at Manchester Airport, said, “We’re proud to offer a world-class experience in our award-winning Terminal 2, which is nearing the end of a decade-long transformation. This is the latest step in that journey and the facility that we are opening here really is at the cutting edge.
“Whether you’re looking to relax, reduce sensory input, or simply recharge, these spaces are available for you to use and do not need to be prebooked.”
Specialist design
The rooms have been designed by Yorkshire-based sensory specialists AmbiSpace, with additional input from the National Autistic Society, ABM (the airport’s special assistance provider) and the Manchester Airport Accessibility Forum.
AmbiSpace’s marketing manager, Dean Cook, commented, “We’ve previously worked on sensory rooms and quiet spaces in a range of environments, from prisons, to schools and colleges, and shopping centers – but this is the first time we’ve worked on a space like this in an airport, so it’s great to have been part of this project.
“There was a long and meticulous design and consultation process for this space,” he continued, “and the goal was to have a diverse sensory area that could accommodate a range of needs. Different users of this space will have different needs as they relax ahead of their flights, and in such a busy international airport the full array of needs and preferences is represented among the passengers traveling through, so we needed to be mindful of that.”
Emma Roberts, a Greater Manchester-based project officer for the National Autistic Society, took part in the consultation process and was present for the opening of the new facility. She said, “From the beginning we were clear about the need for different spaces. Every autistic person is different; some people find lights and bubbles regulating, some need movement, while others just need a quiet space to sit. By offering three distinct, private spaces, Manchester Airport is supporting passengers to feel calm and regulate before their flights.
“This space can become a part of the travel routine in Terminal 2 for autistic passengers and their travel companions,” she added. “It will allow them to plan their journeys with much more confidence and will help ensure that holidays get off to the right start.”
Take a virtual tour of the Sunflower room here.
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