PHILADELPHIA, PA — In an innovative effort to make air travel more accessible and less daunting for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, Philadelphia International Airport ( PHL), in collaboration with The Arc of Pennsylvania, Frontier Airlines, and MarketPlace PHL, successfully hosted its first- ever Wings for Autism ® event on April 27. In a stress-free, welcoming atmosphere, this pioneering effort gave nearly 30 families from the Philadelphia area the chance to become acquainted with the air-port environment and the different stages of air travel. Beginning with check-in at Frontier’s Terminal E, moving through the TSA protection station, waiting in a designated board area, and finally boarding an exact Border aircraft, though one that remained grounded, the participating people made the entire model. Each family was given a gift bag at baggage claim and snacks to cap off this valuable experience, underscoring the show’s goal of providing a positive and wonderful learning experience for both the people and the airport personnel.
The impact of these occasions was highlighted by Denise Bailey, the aircraft community’s Vice President of Business Diversity and Accessibility at PHL. According to Bailey,” To be able to provide opportunities to make air travel more accessible and appropriate to all of our group members increases our airport and services ‘ accessibility and improves our inner stakeholder knowledge of this crucial and expanding segment of our community,”
Beyond providing a unique training experience for families, the Arms for Autism ® celebration served as an educational resource for aircraft, flight, and TSA team. They gained firsthand knowledge of how to interact with people who had intellectual and developmental disabilities ( IDDs ), which improved their capacity to accommodate and assist each traveler with compassion and proficiency.
Leah Douglas, the Department of Aviation Director of Guest Experience, reflected on the show’s success and its effects on participating people. ” This all-encompassing performance encounter was very special to us, and we were very happy for this.” There were glances all around and all deemed it a accomplishment”, Douglas remarked. PHL is committed to expanding this initiative, making it easier for more people to take advantage of this intelligent and diverse approach to travel planning, with programs to hold additional Arms for Autism ® events in the future.
The Wings for Autism ® event represents a significant advance in making traveling more accessible and less intimidating for those who have IDDs and their families. By providing a venue for practice and studying, PHL improves the travel experience for a significant segment of the population and sets the standard for airports across the country in creating a more loving and visible environment for all visitors.
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