The airport hopes that the project will provide a calming environment featuring reduced noise levels and soft lighting. The new facility will feature seating nooks for small travelling groups, two private areas, sensory-seeking accessories, and small cubby spaces. It will also offer soft furnishings and colour treatments, and a flight information display screen, to enable passengers to receive boarding updates without disruption.
“We understand that travelling can be a highly stressful situation, especially for neurodivergent travellers. We’ve recognised this and wanted to provide a space that will make the process easier,” said Perth Airport chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove. “With a focus on removing barriers for neurodivergent people, the room will cater to all ages, with an emphasis on supporting decompression in a busy airport environment,” she added.
The airport worked with its Access and Inclusion Advisory Group, which led to the development of a to-scale room demo, including furnishings, which was then made available to the group to test and provide further feedback.
Plus Architecture designed the space and Perth Airport has now appointed WA company Hoskins Contracting to construct the new sensory room, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
