Autism Acceptance: Silent Flyers

Next in our series of World Autism Acceptance Campaign blogs, Chris Eley, Head of Conservation Education and Engagement at Hertfordshire Zoo, on the major steps to enhance inclusivity at the Zoo:

At Hertfordshire Zoo in the UK, we take great pride in fostering meaningful connections between our animals and visitors, sharing the wonder of wildlife with all of our visitors. Our mission extends beyond simply providing an engaging experience with nature; we are deeply committed to making our zoo accessible to everyone, ensuring that all people have the opportunity to experience our remarkable animals, including our spectacular free-flying bird displays.

Over the past three years, we have taken significant steps to enhance accessibility at Hertfordshire Zoo. This commitment has led to the implementation of several initiatives designed to support visitors with different needs. One of our most important partnerships has been with KultureCity, an organization dedicated to sensory inclusion. Through this collaboration, we proudly became a Sensory Inclusive site, offering sensory-friendly spaces and resources for visitors with sensory processing differences. In addition, we have worked closely with Guide Dogs UK to train our staff as ‘Sighted Guides.’ This training equips our team to better support visitors who are partially sighted or blind, ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable experience at the zoo.

Building on these successful initiatives, we began to explore additional ways to make our daily free-flying bird displays more accessible to individuals with sensory needs. These displays, while incredibly popular and a key highlight for many visitors, can sometimes be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities. With expert guidance from specialists in sensory inclusion, we set out to design a new experience that would allow these visitors to enjoy the wonder of our birds without the stress that traditional shows might cause.

In the summer of 2024, we launched a new daily show called Silent Flyers. This display focuses on the unique adaptations of owls and their ability to fly silently, showcasing these magnificent birds in a calm, sensory-friendly environment. We made several thoughtful adjustments to our usual format to ensure that the experience was as inclusive as possible.

Some of the key changes to the show included:

• Modified Flight Patterns: We removed flights directly over the audience, encouraging birds to stay within the arena. This helped create a more soothing atmosphere and ensured that visitors would not be startled by the birds flying overhead.
• Social Stories: We created detailed social stories featuring the birds that would appear in the display. These stories described the sounds the birds might make, their appearance in flight, and any background noises from other aviaries near the arena. This allowed visitors to familiarise themselves with the experience before attending the show, reducing anxiety and making the display more accessible for individuals with sensory needs.
• Makaton: Our presenters incorporated Makaton sign language to replace applause, creating a more inclusive atmosphere. This adjustment ensured that all visitors could enjoy the show in a way that felt comfortable and natural for them.
• Adjusted Audio: We lowered the speakers along one side of the arena and played calming music at a reduced volume at the beginning of the display. This adjustment helped to mitigate any loud or jarring noises that could potentially overwhelm some visitors, making the experience more relaxing.
• Interactive Elements: After the show, our bird team introduced tactile experiences by bringing out a variety of feathers for younger visitors to touch and feel. This interactive element allowed children and other guests to engage with the birds in a hands-on way, helping them learn more about different species while remaining within the sensory-friendly format.

These thoughtful adaptations to our bird displays have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and members alike. Many families have expressed their gratitude for being able to enjoy the bird displays for the first time in a way that was comfortable and enjoyable for everyone in their group, including those with sensory sensitivities. We are thrilled that our Silent Flyers display has made such a positive impact and are excited to announce that we are looking at introducing similar elements, such as the social stories and adjusted speaker levels, into all our bird displays at Hertfordshire Zoo moving forward.

As a zoo, we are committed to making every visitor's experience as inclusive as possible. The success of our Silent Flyers show has demonstrated the importance of continuously evaluating and improving accessibility within the zoo environment, and we are proud to lead the way in creating a welcoming space for all. We look forward to continuing our work to ensure that Hertfordshire Zoo is a place where every visitor can connect with nature in a meaningful and enriching way.

- Chris Eley, Head of Conservation Education and Engagement at Hertfordshire Zoo

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's positions