Breaking Barriers to Inclusion: Creating Inclusive, Sustainable Experiences

Overview:

In the latest episode of Live with Sondra, Gatemaster Technology CEO Sondra Shannon sat down with Emmanuel Kelly, Co-Founder of Outlyer Ltd., for an unforgettable discussion. This deeply inspiring session explores how empathy, imagination, and groundbreaking design can shape experiences that welcome everyone—especially the often-overlooked.

Insights from This Live

Emmanuel’s Remarkable Journey
From being found in a war zone in Iraq to becoming a global music artist and advocate, Emmanuel Kelly’s story is a powerful testament to resilience. His lived experiences with disability and homelessness deeply inform his mission to foster inclusion through meaningful design and storytelling.
Representation in Entertainment Isn’t Optional—It’s Transformational
Outlyer’s mission includes placing individuals from the “outlier community” both in front of and behind the camera, changing how stories are told and who gets to tell them.
Walla’s World: Innovation Meets Empathy
Walla’s World is more than a theme park. It’s a movement. Emmanuel unveiled plans for the world’s first fully accessible and sustainable theme park, developed in partnership with Cambridge University. Every ride, interaction, and path is designed with universal accessibility in mind—changing the game for attractions worldwide.
Attractions Can Heal or Hurt—Design Determines Which
Emmanuel shared how traditional theme parks, while magical to some, often serve as painful reminders of difference for people with disabilities or those who feel excluded.
Purpose is Personal and Collective
Emmanuel reminded us that while every human has a general purpose to be kind and do good, discovering your personal purpose is key—and his is to build a better world through inclusive entertainment.

5 Notable Quotes:

“There is nowhere on earth in my humble opinion than the travel industry and theme parks—specifically theme parks—that remind you how different you are every single moment, but not in a good way.”
– Emmanuel Kelly
“This community doesn’t need sympathy—it needs empathy, but most of all it needs value.”
– Emmanuel Kelly
“I realized it’s only my business what I think of myself, and if I love myself enough— that acts as the most powerful shield against negativity.”
– Emmanuel Kelly
“We are creating these experiences because we want to take people out of their current reality… just like when you’re watching a movie, you’re taken to another place.” – Sondra Shannon
“There’s no truly right or wrong. As long as you’re not intentionally harming someone, you’re gold.”
– Emmanuel Kelly

Outlyer Ltd.’s Game-Changing Vision

Outlyer Ltd. is more than a company—it’s a movement. Their mission is to build a world where the “outlier community” is not only welcomed but celebrated. From music to immersive attractions, their work is powered by radical empathy and a commitment to sustainability. With Walla’s World, they’re creating the blueprint for future theme parks that are accessible, scalable, and revolutionary.

Gatemaster’s Focus: Enhancing Guest Experiences for All

At Gatemaster Technology, we’re deeply aligned with the values shared in this episode. Our all-in-one attraction management suite is designed to empower operators to deliver seamless, memorable, and inclusive guest experiences—from ticketing to F&B to retail and beyond. We believe every guest should be treated with dignity, understanding, and joy.

Sondra’s Perspective:

Sondra Shannon’s leadership continues to spotlight voices that are transforming the industry. Her conversation with Emmanuel was not only insightful but also emotional and forward-thinking. She emphasized the need for tech partners, operators, and venue managers to start embedding inclusivity into the core of their experiences, not just as a feature, but as a foundation.

Let’s Build the Future—Together

Outlyer Ltd. is currently raising funds to support a 10-year innovation initiative at Cambridge University, laying the groundwork for cutting-edge accessibility and sustainability technology. Want to get involved or learn more? Follow Emmanuel and Outlyer’s journey—and help bring Walla’s World to life.

Creating Memories and a Guest-Centric Culture:

As Jose noted, guests often remember how they were made to feel, not the decor or product specs. That’s why it’s crucial to build systems that serve—not overshadow—the guest journey. Sondra added that these innovations help shape the kind of emotional imprint that keeps families returning to their favorite attractions year after year.