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Ahmad Yani airport opens multi-sensory room for children with autism
The first room of its type was opened at Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday.
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Bintang (second right) plays in the new multi-sensory room at Ahmad Yani airport in Semarang, Central Java, on Oct. 21, 2019. Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I director Faik Fahmi (second left) was also present at the event. (JP/Suherdjoko)
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irport operator PT Angkasa Pura I opened the first multi-sensory room in an Indonesian airport at the Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday.
Faik Fahmi, director of PT Angkasa Pura I, said that the room was meant to evoke a feeling of calm in autistic children and serve as a respite from the intensity of the airport.
Faik further explained that the room was designed to offer calming stimuli to help autistic children overcome anxiety and avoid temper tantrums.
The room can change its color to white to create a feeling of calm and security and to black to help children make sense of the surrounding environment.
The 3.6- by 10-meter room is located in the domestic terminal’s departure lounge and is equipped with mattresses on the floor and walls, gym balls, bean bags, color-changing LED lamps and laser finger beams.
Bintang, one of the autistic children present at the launch, looked happy and comfortable in the room.
Read also: Ahmad Yani airport undergoes final preparations before new terminal operation
The airport also has a waiting room for people in wheelchairs.
Bramudya Nur Alam and Mutiara Anugerah Putri told The Jakarta Post that they appreciated the facility.
“This is my first time experiencing a waiting room for disabled people in an airport,” said Nur Alam.
Faik said the company planned to make multi-sensory rooms in all airports under its management. It also plans to add facilities to accommodate all passengers, including disabled people.
At the opening, PT Angkasa Pura I inaugurated a statue of Ahmad Yani to commemorate the Indonesian Army commander, recognized as one of the country’s national heroes. The 12-meter bronze statue is located at the airport’s main gate. (wng)
