Travel Is For Everyone

Access for All: Making a More Accessible Destination

Accessibility is more than just a buzzword - it makes a place more welcoming for all visitors.

Accessibility also is more than just providing access for wheelchairs and other mobility devices - though of course, that's a part of it. Invisible disabilities, such as Autism, PTSD, sensory concerns, or hearing loss, are sometimes overlooked when designing an attraction. Thankfully, some places go above and beyond the ADA when designing their spaces to ensure that everyone who visits can have the best experience possible.

SEA (Seattle-Tacoma) International Airport

The Port of Seattle has gone above and beyond to ensure that SEA Airport is a welcoming place for all travellers, with plenty of design choices made with mobility devices in mind, from ramps and elevators to wheelchair services. But the thoughtfulness doesn't stop there - changes are currently being made at the Arrivals and Departures dropoff to increase curbside accessibility for passengers coming to and leaving from the airport. Construction should be complete on these changes by Fall of 2023.

But as we said in the introduction, accessibility is about far more than mobility devices. For those with service animals, pet relief areas are available in concourses D, S, N, in the central terminal and in the international arrivals facility. The airport provides assistance for the visually impaired through Aira, a mobile phone app that also can be used in conjunction with smart glasses to allow an Aira agent to help the person navigate through the airport at no cost to the user. Portable induction loops are also available for T-coil hearing aid users at the main information desk, located between checkpoints 3 and 4. For those who may be sensitive to overstimulation, a Sensory Room is available on the train level of the A gates to allow anyone feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, and in need of a quiet space to re-center themselves. The room is specifically designed with neurodiverse passengers in mind and features a rocking chair, a squeeze chair, dimmable lighting, acoustic panels to reduce outside noise, and wool rock pillows to touch and interact with.

The airport also offers a Social Story Guide designed for travelers with autism that can be used to help prepare them on what to expect while traveling, but can be used for any traveler who wants to better acquaint themselves with the airport prior to their trip. Their Sunflower Lanyard for Invisible Disabilities program also offers a subtle way to signal to airport and airline employees that a passenger may need additional assistance or patience from them.

By making sure that all passengers are able to have a first-class experience, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport helps to ensure that travel is something that everyone can enjoy.

Museum of Flight

Like the airport nearby, the Museum of Flight has also recently increased accessibility for its neurodivergent guests. They offer special Sensory Days that are free (though pre-registration is required to reserve space) for those with sensory processing disorders, autism, and other conditions which may impact their ability to fully enjoy a day at the museum with the light and sound stimulation that is usually present. Lights are dimmed and noise is reduced (both from exhibits and from limiting the number of guests), and specially-designed activities are available from the Aviation Learning Center as well. They have also made a Social Narrative available to help guests who want to understand what a typical visit to the museum is like in order to help prepare for their own visit. Noise reduction earmuffs are also available to check out from the information desk.

Cedarbrook Lodge

The Cedarbrook Lodge is more than just a beautiful retreat for meetings, it's also a restful and serene hotel so peaceful, you could forget you're just a few minutes from the airport! They also make sure that guests with accessibility needs are pampered just as much as any other guest, with eight rooms that have their accessibility amenities explicitly listed out to help make planning much easier. Their doorway widths are listed as well (32" for most of the public spaces) to ensure that those using mobility devices aren't surprised when they visit.

Author

Christy Maggio

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