IRELAND. Shannon Airport has opened a ‘sensory room’ for children and adults with neuro-developmental challenges, including autism. It is a first for a European airport, according to Shannon Group management.
The sensory room, which located by the airport’s departure lounge, is tailored to be “a soothing place away from the activity of a busy airport”. It comprises facilities such as aquatic bubble tube, an undulated wavy wall, colour changing LEDs, wheel projector and other items. It was designed by Adam & Friends.
It builds on an initiative at Shannon last year to introduce a customer care programme for people with autism and special needs. Customers who need additional support can now avail of official caps and wristbands at Shannon to ensure that they are immediately identified by staff and receive special treatment. That now includes entry to the sensory room.
The launch event this week was a show of support for people with autism ahead of World Autism Day on 2 April. Among the attendees were RTE commentator Marty Morrissey, Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes, Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas, board members and staff.
At the official opening, airport Director of Operations Niall Maloney urged other Irish and international airports to standardise this service.
“I’m both delighted and proud that an Irish airport, Shannon Airport, is the first to introduce a sensory room in Europe. It’s in keeping with Shannon’s special reputation for looking after its passengers. The introduction last year of its hats and wristbands programme and the addition this year of the sensory room is our way of showing our support for our customers with autism and special needs.
“It’s one thing for Shannon to put these provisions in place. But if other airports participated in this programme so that when the passenger arrives on the other side, they also get special treatment, then that would be a huge gift to people with special needs and their families,” he said.
Shannon Group Chair Rose Hynes said: “We know that, for some of our families and individual passengers, air travel and moving through an airport environment –whether it’s dealing with check-in, security or boarding – can be a daunting experience.
“Our staff recognised that autism has a profound effect on those with the condition and their families – and our job in Shannon is to deliver on our promise that Shannon really is easier to use than other airports. It is this strong sense of commitment and community which inspired our staff to develop and launch the airport’s Autism and Special Needs Awareness Programme last year – and it is that same sense of commitment to community that motivated them to develop Europe’s first airport sensory room.
“Being the first airport in Europe to develop a sensory room is in keeping with Shannon’s culture of willingness to do new things.
“The autism programme is a natural extension of the airport’s focus on customer care. We have already invested over €3 million in upgrades to our terminal building to improve the passenger experience, and this work is continuing.”
*Shannon Airport opened the world’s first duty free shop in 1947, and The Moodie Davitt Report will mark the industry’s 70th year by publishing a special commemorative edition later this year. Click here to pre-order your hard copy.
