TARC in partnership with Tulsa International Airport, Allegiance Air, and Therapy & Beyond hosted Wings for Autism® on Friday, September 23, 2016 at Tulsa International Airport. Participants were guided by staff from TARC, TIA, Allegiant Air, TSA, and volunteers through the boarding pass pick up, security screening, and actual boarding processes.
Wings for Autism® is especially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals. Originated by the Charles River Center, a local chapter of The Arc, Wings for Autism™ is designed to alleviate some of the stress that families who have a child with autism experience when traveling by air.
The program provides families with the opportunity to practice entering the airport, obtain boarding passes, go through security and board a plane. Wings for Autism® also gives airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact and deliver their services in a structured, learning environment.
This experience is equally useful for families that have a member with other intellectual or developmental disabilities that are concerned about the ability of their family member to travel.