DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Far from the roaring noise, lights and fireworks of World Cup games, there is a safe space for fans who might feel overwhelmed in a stadium environment.
“Sensory Rooms”, at three stadiums in Qatar, provide a quiet haven for children and young adults with autism, learning disabilities or other sensory access requirements.
Located in the boxes of the Al Bayt, Education City and Lusail stadiums, the rooms feature soft furnishings, noise canceling headphones and interactive tools and toys to help children cope with the noisy environment and allow them to relieve anxiety and enjoy the unique experience of a World Cup match.
“Having a space like this is a breather. It’s like a warm hug,” said Raana Smith, co-founder of Sensory Souk, a Doha-based company that services sensory rooms.
“Everyone should have the right and the opportunity to experience football,” he said. “If someone has limited speech, limited mobility, that shouldn’t be a barrier to experiencing something so wonderful and crowd-pleasing.”
Softly lit rooms include soft cushions, soothing colored lighting and rising bubble tubes and wall-mounted boards that provide different textures to help people calm down and refocus. Fans also receive sensory bags including noise-cancelling headphones, weighted lap pads, and fidget toys like clappers and plastic gloves.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows allow families to keep an eye on the field. The ultimate goal is to gradually introduce fans to the game, allowing them to sit in the stands for periods and then return to the sensory room when needed, Sensory Souk co-founder Alison Saraf said at the 80,000-capacity event. Lusail Stadium, where the World Cup final will be played.
“In kids, what we ideally want to do is ignite a passion for a new sport,” Saraf said. “…The goal is always really to get as many people as possible to enjoy the game outside and experience everything that’s here.”
The initiative is run by FIFA and the Supreme Committee on Delivery and Legacy of the host country.
Sensory rooms have also been introduced in recent years to professional sports in the United States, including in MLS.NBA and NFL to provide relaxing spaces for fans with sensory challenges.
“This is truly a worldwide phenomenon as people increasingly understand the fact that they need to broaden the appeal of sports for every demographic,” said Dr. Julian Maha, co-founder of KultureCity, a US-based organization. who has helped sports teams across the US with programs for visitors with a variety of sensory issues, including people with autism.
“Because of their sensory issues, where going to a large-scale sporting event like a stadium can be not only overwhelming but physically painful due to the crowds, the noise, the smells, many of these people tend to withdraw from the community and not Not participating,” Maha said.
By providing sensory rooms, he said, the World Cup is “opening up the game to a lot more people, people who have been largely marginalized and left out, and giving them an opportunity to re-engage and be part of the community again.” and enjoy. all the things that we, as neurotypical individuals, take for granted.”
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