Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport unveils its first multisensory room for travelers on the autism spectrum

ATLANTA, 2016-Apr-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) officials will join Delta Air Lines, Wings for Autism, The Arc Georgia and The Arc Midlands on Tuesday for the unveiling of the Airport’s first multisensory room for travelers on the autism spectrum. The new room provides a soothing, supportive environment and contains a minicrash pit, a padded platform, a tactile activity panel and other items that individuals can interact with to help them acclimate to their travel experience.

Additionally, the Airport will host an airport travel “rehearsal” called Wings for Autism. The rehearsal is an opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to travel through ATL, transit through a TSA security line and walk onto an aircraft. The event is designed to alleviate some of the stress that people with disabilities and their families experience when traveling by air.

Tuesday’s event is expected to draw some 100 individuals, including 35-40 people who are on the autism spectrum. These individuals, ranging in age from 10 to 40 years old, will experience navigating the terminal, undergoing security screening and even boarding a Delta aircraft.

NOTE TO REPORTERS: There are two separate events for coverage

WHO:

Jon Edwards, Delta’s managing director – ACS operations

Letty Ashworth, Delta’s director – Global Diversity

Parents and children experiencing the room

WHAT:

Launch of multisensory room

WHEN:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 10 a.m. – Media to arrive at 9:15 a.m. at International Terminal

WHERE:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, Concourse F, 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30354

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WHO:

Miguel Southwell, general manager, ATL

Steve Mayers, guest relations director, ATL

Erich Riese, Delta Air Lines pilot

Vivica Brown, assistant general manager, ATL

WHAT:

Wings for Autism airport “rehearsal”

WHEN:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 11 a.m. – Media to arrive at 9:15 a.m. at International Terminal

WHERE:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, Concourse E, 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30354

NOTES: These events will take place beyond security at the International Terminal.

These events will take place beyond security at the International Terminal. Media hoping to attend must RSVP by Tuesday, April 12 at 8 a.m. to deallous.smith@atlanta-airport.com with full name and date of birth for security vetting.

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) is the world’s most traveled and most efficient airport, serving more than 101 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and nearly 70 international destinations in more than 45 countries. ATL boasts a direct economic impact of $34.8 billion in metro Atlanta and a total direct economic impact of $70.9 billion in Georgia. The Airport is the largest employer in Georgia, with more than 63,000 employees. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, architectural engineering and construction – including the 2013 Global Efficiency Excellence Award from the Air Transport Research Society, 2013 Project of the Year, Architectural Category for the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal from the American Association of Airport Executives Southeast chapter and the 2012 Best Airport in North America, Business Travel Award from the Business Traveler Magazine. ATL has completed more than $6 billion worth of capital improvements, including a new, energy-efficient rental car center, a gold LEED-certified international terminal and aesthetic and functional upgrades to its concourses, people movers and parking services. For more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com. Check out the Airport’s YouTube channel by visiting www.youtube.com/AtlantaHartsfield, follow us on Twitter (@Atlanta_Airport) and become a fan on Facebook (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport).

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS
For HD broadcast quality b-roll of airport operations, events and generic interior/exterior shots, click here to view our ATL Video Newsroom:vimeo.com/atlairport/channels .

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