Hong Kong airport opens sensory space for passengers with invisible disabilities

Hong Kong International Airport has opened a sensory corner to ease travel stress for passengers with invisible disabilities, ranging from autism to dementia. Major airports around the world, including Singapore Changi and London Heathrow, have introduced sensory rooms or quiet zones for neurodivergent travellers in recent years, as part of a wider effort to enhance inclusivity. Chris Au Young, the Airport Authority’s general manager of terminal and passenger experience, said the 30 square metre (323 sq ft) room was located near Gate 10 on departure level six of Terminal One. It was designed for passengers with invisible disabilities such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), claustrophobia and dementia, he said. “Travelling presents many challenges for these individuals, as they must engage unfamiliar surroundings, dense crowds and the stressful security and immigration clearance process,” he said. “The sensory corner will provide a calming and secure space for them to focus on themselves and soothe their emotions, through the deliberate use of space, atmosphere, colour, materials and sound.” Au Young said the authority would join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower global initiative in two months, and staff were being trained to equip them with the knowledge and skills to support passengers with invisible disabilities. Those with invisible disabilities could collect a sunflower-printed lanyard at customer service counters and hang it around their neck to discreetly indicate they may need extra support and time. The facility is free to passengers of all ages. It is open daily from 5am to midnight and can accommodate 12 people at a time. No reservation is needed for now, but the airport will consider introducing bookings if the demand rises. Inside, the room features padded walls and flooring, providing a safe environment for users to crawl, roll, jump, or lie down to ground their nervous systems and stabilise their emotions. They can choose to relax in the quiet zone, which consists of two booths simulating an enclosed cabin environment, designed to help them psychologically prepare for the coming flight. Alternatively, passengers can enjoy a variety of visual, auditory and tactile stimuli in the active zone. The area features two illuminating bubble tubes, where the predictable pattern of rising bubbles can soothe an overstimulated system while improving eye-tracking skills and concentration. Right next to the tubes is an interactive sensory game that challenges users to step on pressure-sensitive, sound-making floor pads in response to corresponding tiles that light up on the wall, training their coordination and helping younger users grasp the concept of causation through immediate feedback. The room is also equipped with wall panels that allow passengers to touch, press, and create music – all useful for de-escalation and emotional regulation. To suit individual sensory needs, users can adjust the lighting accordingly. A similar sensory facility is being considered for Terminal Two to extend the support to more passengers. Shing Wai-in, a homemaker in her thirties and the mother of four-year-old Justin, who has autism and a developmental delay, said the airport environment poses particular challenges for her son. “Adapting to a new environment can take 15 minutes, during which he throws a temper tantrum – crying, shouting, throwing himself on the floor, and not taking part,” she said. “The airport is especially triggering because there are many strangers, the lighting is strong, the presence of security officers is stern, and the waiting time before boarding could be long – we could not help worrying about our child despite having explained everything repeatedly.” Shing, who took Justin to try out the facility before the official opening, said the space had helped him become calmer and more focused, as he felt a sense of control inside the room. She said she now felt more confident and would take the child on a trip to Singapore for the first time. Looking ahead, Shing said she hoped the wider community could be more accepting of neurodiverse children such as Justin. “The sensory corner is great hardware, and I hope there will be more emotional support for parents who are struggling with caregiving stress,” she said. “If you see someone fall, you don’t blame them for leaving their home, but ask if they’re okay and offer help. That same kindness will help sustain parents like me on the long journey of caregiving.” More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with mental health disorders, according to the World Health Organization. In Hong Kong, ADHD affects 6 per cent of all children and 2.5 per cent of all adults, corresponding to at least 200,000 of the population. An official census in 2020 recorded 22,400 cases of autism, but the figure was disputed by Autism Hong Kong, a non-governmental organisation, which said the figure was under-represented and had already risen to around 200,000 by 2025.

Hong Kong airport opens sensory space for passengers with invisible disabilities

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Room near Gate 10 in Terminal One designed for passengers with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, claustrophobia and dementia

Room near Gate 10 in Terminal One designed for passengers with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, claustrophobia and dementia