Mission: accessible

This time last year, it would have been hard to find a Hong Kong resident unaware of the launch of Ocean Park's much-anticipated Water World. What is less well known is that the destination has since become Asia's first autism-certified water park, offering inclusive, accessible and sensorially friendly facilities for visitors with autism and other sensory sensitivities.

Specifically, Water World has been designated a Certified Autism Center by the US-based International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). To celebrate, the water park partnered with nongovernmental organizations over the summer to invite more than 200 guests, including autistic individuals and their caregivers, for a visit. According to Bryan Fish, Ocean Park Corporation's executive director, developing caring, socially inclusive initiatives is a priority for the company.

Compared to neurotypical people, autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals find it harder to adapt to new routines and environments. Such issues can unfortunately come to the fore in entertainment spaces that lack inclusive facilities.

Besides providing training to front-line team members, Water World has added IBCCES Sensory Guides to its attractions. The guides indicate how rides may affect the five senses: touch, taste, sound, sight and smell. Each sense is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with descriptions detailing the experiences involved. For example, the sensory information for Surf Striker, an indoor surfing simulator, includes: "potential for close proximity / shared space with other visitors", "sounds echo" and "natural lighting and overhead lighting". With such information available on Water World's website, sensory-sensitive visitors can avoid the stress of evaluating options on the spot.