Syracuse, New York – Saturday, November 4, 2023 – The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) hosted 22 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families as part of an airport rehearsal program today, Saturday, November 4^th, at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). Examples of IDD include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other diagnoses. Wings for All® is a program of The Arc of the United States and is a partnership between the SRAA, Arc of Onondaga, United Airlines, and Republic Airways dba United Express. The annual event aims to alleviate some of the stress individuals with IDD and their families may experience when traveling by air.

Air travel for people with IDD can be frightening and overwhelming. The change in routine, noise, unfamiliar surroundings, and crowds can cause visible distress. This is often misunderstood and flagged by TSA agents for suspicious behavior. Because of these realities, most of this population is so intimidated that they don’t even attempt air travel. Yet everyone deserves to travel. Today’s rehearsal provided individuals with IDD familiarity with the travel process and families the opportunity to learn how their loved ones may react to the wide-ranging stimuli found in the airport environment. At the same time, members of the airport community such as airport authority, airline, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees were able to interact with people with IDD and learn how they can better support them. Interactions such as these help to produce a better understanding of how to provide services to accommodate the unique needs of travelers with IDD.

“We are grateful to the Syracuse Airport, United Airlines, and all who have made Wings for All possible,” said Ellen Gutmaker, Executive Director of Arc of Onondaga. “For families of individuals with autism, traveling by air to visit family members and enjoy vacations is more accessible and attainable, thanks to this partnership.”

“At United, we strive to make the flying experience inclusive and comfortable for customers of all abilities,” said Linda Jojo, EVP & Chief Customer Officer at United Airlines. “Events like Wings for All provide us the opportunity to learn firsthand how to create those experiences for our customers with IDD and their families.”

“Events like this touch upon a core value of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, which is to provide a best-in-class airport customer experience for travelers of all abilities,” said SRAA Executive Director, Jason Terreri. “It has been incredibly rewarding to watch our participating families today gain confidence the deeper they navigated through their ‘travel day.’ For many of our guests, today’s event has opened a door they thought may have been closed for good.”

The entire airport process was rehearsed today by approximately 22 individuals with IDD and their families, including parking and walking to the terminal, checking in for their flight, passing through the TSA security checkpoint, navigating the terminal to their gate, and boarding an aircraft provided by Republic Airways dba United Express. While the engines didn’t power up, passengers on today’s rehearsal flight were treated to the airline’s snack and beverage service and had the opportunity to ask questions of the pilot and cabin crew. Volunteers from the airport’s Pets Easing Travelers (PET) Program were on hand greeting passengers both participating in the event as well as regularly scheduled travelers.

“Travel can create some of life’s most treasured memories, but flying can be daunting for people with disabilities, denying them those special moments,” said Kerry Mauger, Director of Special Projects at The Arc of the United States “With Wings for All, we are opening up the wonder of flight to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By making the airport experience welcoming and familiar, we are empowering people with IDD to visit new places, see loved ones, and make memories that will last a lifetime. The opportunity to travel is a joy meant for all.”

Wings for All® is a national program of The Arc of the United States. Over 25,000 individuals have attended Wings for All® events at airports across the country, providing over 16,000 families the opportunity to participate in the rehearsal program.

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