The creation of a program to help passengers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuro disorders when traveling through airports was announced by the federal government, this Tuesday (5). The expectation is to implement 20 special rooms for this public by 2026. In addition to being welcoming, these will have adaptations aimed at the approximately 200 thousand passengers with these characteristics, who travel through Brazilian airports annually.
Silvio Costa Filho, Minister of Ports and Airports, Photo: Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil
According to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the initiative aims to provide better conditions not only for people with neurodiversities, but also for their families, as recalled by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho.
“I have, as a godson, a person on the autistic spectrum. I therefore know what an initiative like this means. This gesture symbolizes very well what we need in Brazil: looking at social well-being, at those who need attention not only from the public authorities, but from the private authorities”, said the minister when launching a challenge: “The concessionaire that making the first three rooms will have a different perspective when awarding the best airports of the year”, highlighted the minister.
Measurements
In addition to the implementation of multisensory rooms that aim to offer sensory stimuli (visual, tactile and auditory) to promote relaxation, concentration and well-being, accommodation rooms will also be implemented, with reduced stimuli to welcome passengers during times of crisis.
Reevaluations of procedures are also planned to improve the experience of passengers with ASD, both in flight and on the ground; and the provision of training for professionals in the sector, as well as promoting awareness among other passengers and professionals.
“Both spaces will be accessible to all age groups and will be available to passengers with other neurodiversities, guaranteeing an inclusive welcome for everyone”, informed the ministry while remembering that six rooms will be implemented in the first quarter of 2025.
During the program’s launch ceremony, the National Secretary of Civil Aviation, Tomé Franca, highlighted that the sector has a “very great social responsibility to generate dignity, opportunity and self-esteem for people. We are not just dealing with numbers. They are people in search of dreams, opportunities, reunions. And each investment is an opportunity to improve people’s lives,” he said.
“We will install these rooms in the main airports in Brazil. We currently have four multisensory rooms installed at airports. In November we will open another one in Natal; and by the first quarter of 2025, six more multisensory rooms. Our goal is that all airports in the capitals and the main ones, with greater traffic, can have these rooms installed. All at no cost to the Union”, he added.
Integrated into the Viver sem Limites II program, the initiative is inspired by two sensory room experiences installed by the Zurich Airport Concessionaire at the airports of Florianópolis, in Santa Catarina, and Vitória, in Espírito Santo.
