Wings for Autism- Prepare for Flying  

Wings for Autism® is coming to Kansas City International Airport!

The Arc of Douglas County, The Autism Society of the Heartland, Delta Airlines and Kansas City International Airport will host its first Wings for Autism/ It’s Cool to Fly American event on March 5th- 

Date: Saturday, March 5th, 2015
Time: Check in will begin 5:30 pm CT

Families interested in attending, please register using the family registration form.

If you are interested in volunteering, please register using the volunteer form.

Please contact Barb Bishop or Jennifer Smith for more information.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About Wings for Autism®

Wings for Autism®, one of The Arc’s newest national initiatives, is an airport “rehearsal” specially 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.

National expansion of Wings for Autism® is being administered by The Arc of the United States and in the future will be available for implementation at airports throughout the country. This Wings for Autism® video provides a glimpse of a recent Wings for Autism® event.

The success of a Wings for Autism® event is due to our well-tested coordinator guide and technical assistance by staff members from The Arc. In addition to Chapter(s) of The Arc, several local partners are involved in the event (airport, airline and TSA personnel). Together, these partners form the Wings team and work collaboratively to design and carry out the event.

The Arc’s Wings for Autism® is sponsored in part by The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. The goal of the Flutie Foundation is to help families affected by autism to live life to the fullest. Through programs and partnerships the foundation helps people with autism get access to care; lead more active lifestyles; and grow toward adult independence. Learn more about the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation, Inc.