Making the Skies Friendlier for Everyone
Part of living a full life in the community includes being able to travel to faraway locations for both work and pleasure. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are entitled to this piece of community participation—just like anyone else—and should be able to navigate air transit comfortably to experience the same opportunities as every other traveler.
Why It Matters
People with autism and other IDDs 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.
What The Arc Is Doing
The Arc’s Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® (Wings) program gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies with ease by providing an airport “rehearsal,” as well as a presentation on the aircraft features and in-flight safety protocols. Chapters of The Arc, local partners, and airport/airline/TSA personnel work collaboratively to design and carry out each Wings event.
For Individuals and Families
Wings alleviates some of the stress that people with autism and other IDDs 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.
For Aviation Professionals
Wings gives airport, airline, TSA professionals, and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact, and deliver their services in a structured learning environment—improving their disability competency and processes for accommodating all passengers who fly.
During a Wings Event: Participant Activities
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)
Wings for Autism® was created by Charles River Center, an affiliated chapter of The Arc, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Port Authority.
Upcoming Wings Events
We hold dozens of Wings events each year. Check back often to see when new locations/dates are announced near you.
Upcoming Events:
December 7: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Participant Registration Form
Don’t see your city? Sign up to be on our alert list to receive an email notification when we come to an airport in your area! If you are looking for events in Boston or the Massachusetts area, please visit this page.
How You Can Help
Get involved with the Wings for Autism/Wings for All program!
Testimonials
“We were able to take my 14-year-old son Nathaniel on an airplane for the first time in 9 years. It was a big family reunion, and many family members had not seen Nathaniel since he was a baby. The Wings for Autism program definitely eased our way. Thank you for this program!”
“My family took a flight in February. We would not have attempted it if it was not for the Wings for Autism program.”
“You have no idea what this event means to us! It showed us, that YES, we do have a chance to make my daughter’s graduation in Connecticut next year! We have some work to do with boarding the plane, but at least we know that was the only issue my son had.”
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
