For Hassan Al Qahtani, having the opportunity to bring his son Ali to the stadium provides him with an important opportunity to gradually build the necessary coping skills he needs to live an independent life in a busy society, all while taking in the action from a controlled environment that offers a clear sightline onto the field of play.
“Ali is just beginning to develop language and social skills, and having him experience a stadium at a final match like this should prove to be an invaluable experience for him, where he can take in the sights and sounds of a busy venue from a safe space that has been expertly designed to allow him to do so safely,” said Al Qahtani, who was one of a limited number of fans allowed into the sensory room as part of strict safety measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Ultimately, I want to see Ali live as part of an inclusive society that provides the necessary spaces for him to enjoy all that Qatar has to offer. I believe that placing sensory rooms in World Cup stadiums will play a tremendous role in achieving this for my son and other people living with autism,” he added.
Fans with autism and their families were able to access the sensory room prior to, during and after the match, allowing them extra time to acclimatise to their new surroundings and avoid crowds when entering and exiting the stadium. The fans, mostly children, were able to enjoy an interactive projector, soft toys and beanbags in a supervised environment while having the opportunity to step out into the stadium and enjoy the football from a row of dedicated seats.
The sensory room was deployed by modifying a sky box at the Education City Stadium to create a more inviting experience, which included modified soft lighting and sound proofed tactile furnishings on the wall. This created an inviting and stimulating internal atmosphere adjacent to the stands where users of the room could interact with the fans when at their own pace.