Houston Airports Opens Sensory Room to Passengers Ahead of Thanksgiving
In a continued pursuit to create more accessible and inclusive airports, Houston Airports is unveiling the first of multiple sensory rooms inside its terminals. A sensory room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is now open within the Mother’s Room located at Terminal A North. The Mother’s Room is adjacent to the Breakfast Klub and a KRPC Travel Store. A sensory room provides a quiet and controlled space where passengers, including those living with developmental disorders, can retreat and find relief from the sensory stimuli of the airport environment. This dedicated space at Bush Airport has been carefully designed to provide a calming and supportive environment through the thoughtful use of soothing lighting, noise-reducing infrastructure and seating. The interactive space is designed to help travelers who are neurodivergent and may become overwhelmed by a bustling and unfamiliar place. Access to the sensory room is simple a process and requires contacting our Airport Operations Center for entry.
- Once a passenger arrives inside the Mother's Room, they will notice an interior room with a cipher lock and sensory sign that reads, "Please contact 281-230-1300 for access.”
- An AOC team member will assist the guest by providing the necessary code.
Sensory rooms can help travelers with conditions like autism, dementia, or other sensory processing issues. At Bush Airport, features like colorful lighting that encourages touch, soothing bubble tubes, dimmable lighting, soundproof walls and cozy seating can help passengers recenter. Additional sensory rooms are set to open in a newly refurbished and expanded Terminal D and at Hobby Airport. The sensory rooms are part of a suite of services for passengers who may need extra assistance. In 2022, Houston Airports opened the doors to Companion Care Changing Rooms that include lifts, an adult-size changing table and private bathroom facilities. Houston Airports also offers Mother’s Rooms for families who need added privacy when feeding or tending to young children.
