Wings for All is back! Book your seat today!
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Click here for your What to Expect Guide!
Part of living a full life in our community includes being able to travel to faraway locations for both work and pleasure. People with intellectual/developmental disabilities often experience barriers to participating in air travel.
Airports and airplanes can be overwhelming and full of unexpected and overstimulating variables, such as bright lights, noises, TSA security screening, and crowds. Too often, there is a lack of understanding among airport and airline staff – leading to confusion on how to handle accommodations or unexpected behaviors when a flier is overwhelmed or nervous about navigating the air travel process. Combined, these barriers lead to hesitation and fear, inhibiting participation in air travel. As a result, people can miss out on new experiences and connecting with family members and friends that live far away.
Wings for All aims to alleviate some of the stress that people with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families experience when traveling by air by providing families with the opportunity to experience and learn about how their loved ones will react to different stimuli in the airport. During the airport rehearsal, participants and their families are able to:
Check-in to receive boarding passes
Pass through the TSA security checkpoint
Wait in the boarding area
Board an aircraft (that does not take off) Buckle-up and go through announcements and receive complimentary snacks and beverages
Seating is limited. All guests on the plane can attend with up to two family members/supporters.
There will be a reception immediately following the simulation at the airport. All attendees and family members are encouraged to attend.