ROMULUS, Mich. – A multi-sensory room has opened at Detroit Metro Airport thanks to a partnership between the Wayne County Airport Authority and Delta Air Lines.
The room, which is located across from Gate A36, behind Pandora, in the McNamara Terminal, was designed to provide a calm and safe environment for people with sensory sensitivities and cognitive disabilities, according to a release from the airport authority.
“The addition of the Multi-Sensory Room reflects the Airport Authority’s commitment to reducing the stress of travel and creating an inclusive environment for all of our guests,” said WCAA CEO Chad Newton. “I want to thank our partners at Delta Air Lines and our local experts for helping to make this project a reality.”
The room features multiple elements to support relaxation, including a crash pad that creates deep pressure to help reduce anxiety, a fiber optic bean bag, a music hand wall, a sensory wall and a tree with a built-in cubby.
The airport authority and Delta Air Lines invested nearly $500,000 to create this room, and worked with Dr. Olivia Goeddeke, an occupational therapist, and consulted Carol Gray, a renowned autism expert and member of Delta’s Advisory Board on Disability to design the different elements of the room.
“I had the opportunity to collaborate with the Wayne County Airport Authority and Delta to create a Multi-Sensory Room and was a part of the team that brainstormed, developed and created each feature in this space,” said Dr. Goeddeke. “It is rewarding to see our vision brought to life and to know that neurodivergent passengers will have an improved airport experience.”
People who want to use the room will need to use their phones to call for an access code to get into it.
The room will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and only six people can be inside the room at a time.
