NEWARK, NJ — Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A is now home to two sensory rooms designed to support neurodivergent travelers, thanks in part to a consulting partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism in Staatsburg.
In a move hailed as a national model for accessibility in air travel, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey opened a second sensory room post-security, complementing a pre-security space that debuted in December 2023. Both rooms were developed in consultation with Anderson Center Consulting and Training (ACT), a division of the Anderson Center for Autism.
The new Terminal A is a one-million-square foot facility that welcomes an estimated 26,000 passengers a day.
Eliza Bozenski, chief development officer at the Anderson Foundation for Autism, said the collaboration began over a year ago, when the Port Authority sought expertise to create a travel experience better suited for passengers with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
“One group we don’t often talk about enough are young professionals and adopts with autism and other neuro-divergences that often need these spaces and otherwise might not be taking that job, might not be going on that trip and might be traveling alone and maybe want to travel with friends, but need a space to maybe decompress for a few minutes,” she said.
With one-in-36 children in the U.S. diagnosed on the spectrum, the potential impact of projects like this is enormous, Bozenski said. “These sensory rooms are not just spaces—they’re statements that say, ‘you are welcome here.’”
The pre-security sensory room offers a forest-themed, calming environment, while the new 1,400-square-foot post-security space immerses travelers in an underwater-inspired setting, complete with sea life projections, interactive bubble tubes, and a realistic mock aircraft cabin. The cabin allows travelers to simulate boarding and in-flight routines, which Bozenski said can be critical for reducing travel anxiety.
Anderson’s consulting team advised on everything from color schemes to signage, and trained airport staff on how to support neurodivergent travelers. Bozenski emphasized that travel often disrupts routines—something many autistic individuals rely on. “These sensory rooms give people a chance to recalibrate, especially after navigating stressful security lines,” she said.
Port Authority officials echoed those sentiments. “We’re proud that Newark Liberty’s Terminal A now sets a new standard for accessibility and comfort in air travel,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
The sensory rooms are part of a broader push by the Port Authority to incorporate inclusive design into all of its redevelopment projects, including similar initiatives at LaGuardia and JFK airports.
Bozenski added that the Anderson Center began its consulting division to scale its impact beyond the Hudson Valley. “We started small, but the goal was always to share our expertise with the broader world,” she said. “Now we’re helping shape the future of travel.”