Let’s find your next opportunity​

{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}

{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}

saved
viewed

Building theme parks for everyone: Bahar’s vision for accessibility

Theme parks should spark joy for everyone who enters their gates. Yet for millions of visitors with disabilities, accessing attractions and navigating spaces can present significant barriers. At AtkinsRéalis, we believe accessibility isn't just good practice - it's fundamental to creating exceptional experiences.

Meet Bahar Jaferzadeh, our Regional Creative Design Lead, who has championed accessible design throughout her career. Her work on Six Flags Qiddiya demonstrates how thoughtful design can create spaces where everyone belongs.

Picture of Bahar posing for a picture

Meet Bahar Jaferzadeh: Designing with purpose

Bahar joined AtkinsRéalis in February 2015 as an architect, beginning her journey in rail design before transitioning to airports and eventually finding her passion in theme parks. For over five years, she has contributed to Six Flags Qiddiya, one of the region's most ambitious entertainment developments.

"My career progression across different sectors has given me a holistic understanding of how accessibility can transform spaces," Bahar reflects. Today, she leads multidisciplinary teams that balance technical excellence, creativity, and inclusivity across world-class entertainment destinations.

Understanding true accessibility

For Bahar, accessibility extends far beyond compliance checklists. "Accessibility means empowerment through design - removing physical, sensory and digital barriers so everyone can participate fully," she explains.

This philosophy challenges a common misconception that accessible features only benefit a small group. Studies consistently show accessible theme parks see a 15-20% increase in attendance from families with members who have disabilities. More importantly, accessible design improvements boost overall customer satisfaction scores by up to 25%.

Bahar emphasises that accessibility should be "embedded at the earliest stages of design so it becomes a natural part of the project's DNA rather than an afterthought." This approach creates environments that enhance usability and comfort for everyone.

Six Flags Qiddiya: Accessibility in action

The Six Flags Qiddiya project showcases how accessible theme parks can set new standards for today’s entertainment industry. Bahar and her team implemented comprehensive accessibility features from the ground up.

Key accessible attractions and design elements include:

  • Step-free routes throughout the park ensuring wheelchair accessibility
  • Inclusive rides designed for visitors with varying mobility needs
  • Sensory-friendly zones providing respite from overwhelming stimuli
  • Clear wayfinding systems supporting navigation for all visitors
  • Digital accessibility ensuring online platforms serve diverse user needs

This dual focus on physical and digital accessibility creates seamless experiences at every touchpoint. Parks with such features report a 30% higher rate of repeat visits among diverse visitor groups, proving that accessibility drives both social impact and business success.

Innovation shaping the future

Theme park accessibility continues evolving through smart technologies and adaptive design. "Innovation is reshaping accessibility through smart technologies, adaptive design, and inclusive policies," Bahar notes.

At Six Flags Qiddiya, accessibility wasn't retrofitted, it drove the overall guest experience design. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates how accessible features can improve safety and ease of navigation for all visitors.

Building inclusion from the ground up

Bahar's vision extends beyond individual projects to workplace culture. She advocates for employee resource groups and listening without assumptions, recognising that "invisible disabilities and unique needs are just as important to address as visible ones."

Her message to those hesitant to share their accessibility needs is clear: "Your voice matters, and it helps us create better spaces for everyone."

The future of theme park design lies in recognising accessibility not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to create extraordinary experiences for all. Through projects like Six Flags Qiddiya, AtkinsRéalis continues demonstrating how technical excellence combined with human-centred design shapes a more embracing entertainment landscape.

Ready to be part of this transformative work? Learn more about joining our team and help us build accessible experiences that empower everyone. 

Related blogs

Bhavya smiling

Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.

Discover how Bhavya is helping design sustainable, future-ready education spaces for UK communities while building her architectural career at AtkinsRéalis.

Card link for Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.
Faye smiling in front of camera

From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.

For Faye, sustainability started with a simple habit and grew into a career. From studying geology to contributing to carbon modelling on major infrastructure projects, her journey shows how personal passion can evolve into meaningful impact.

Card link for From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.
Aishwarya smiling in front of camera

From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.

At AtkinsRéalis, meaningful environmental impact can begin early in your career. As an intern in the Water Management Consultancy team, Aishwarya is helping assess water quality and pollution risks in UK rivers, applying her academic knowledge to real-world challenges that support healthier ecosystems and better environmental outcomes.

Card link for From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.
Mohit standing in front of lake

Building energy resilience where it matters most

Whether it's supporting global net-zero commitments or helping improve energy resilience in remote communities, Mohit’s work reflects the growing role sustainability professionals play in shaping a more sustainable future.

Card link for Building energy resilience where it matters most
Sahil in black suit

Designing cooler cities for a hotter world

Meet Sahil, driving resilient cities at AtkinsRéalis by turning climate challenges into solutions through urban planning, climate adaptation, and digital innovation.

Card link for Designing cooler cities for a hotter world

From data to impact: Varna’s journey shaping global sustainability reporting from India

At AtkinsRéalis, sustainability is driven by both strategy and data. Varna’s work focuses on turning complex environmental information into meaningful insights, supporting global sustainability reporting, climate action, and informed decision-making across regions.

Card link for From data to impact: Varna’s journey shaping global sustainability reporting from India

Why Pankaj came back to AtkinsRéalis to grow his sustainability career

From graduate engineer to Principal Sustainability Consultant, explore Pankaj’s journey and his work shaping sustainable building performance across the Middle East.

Card link for Why Pankaj came back to AtkinsRéalis to grow his sustainability career
road stretching off into the distance

A first for Ireland: building carbon reduction into the tender

How a career with AtkinsRéalis Ireland means building carbon reduction in from the beginning.

Card link for A first for Ireland: building carbon reduction into the tender

Tomasz on building a squiggly career in International Urban Development Advisory

Meet Tomasz and discover how embracing new opportunities can shape a truly global career path.

Card link for Tomasz on building a squiggly career in International Urban Development Advisory
Tom Johnson House, Dublin, Ireland - brick building against a bright blue sky

From C3 to A2: a deep retrofit in Dublin 4

How AtkinsRéalis’ structural engineering capability in Ireland drives sustainable and visible value – what could you add?

Card link for From C3 to A2: a deep retrofit in Dublin 4
Kristi smiling at the camera

Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a way of practising.

From early lessons in solar living, discover how Kristi is redefining sustainability in design and preparing for LEED v5.

Card link for Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a way of practising.
Image of Amy at the big bang fair

From music technology to acoustic consulting: Amy on building a career in environment digital

Discover how Amy is turning technical knowledge into real-world impact through acoustics and digital solutions.

Card link for From music technology to acoustic consulting: Amy on building a career in environment digital

Related jobs

We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.

group of people talking to each other

Everyone belongs

We empower each individual to shine and contribute to our collective impact. We believe in the power of unique perspectives. It’s how we’re engineering a better future every single day.