Arc of Onondaga was proud to bring the airport rehearsal program, Wings For All, back to Syracuse for a fifth year! Wings for All aims to alleviate some of the stress that people with intellectual/developmental disabilities 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 during a real-time airport rehearsal. Due to the overwhelming and unprecedented response we received for the program this year, Arc, along with our partners at Syracuse Hancock International Airport and United Airlines were able to host two back-to-back sessions. The entire airport process was rehearsed by approximately 40 individuals with I/DD and their families, and included parking and entering the terminal, checking in and receiving boarding passes, passing through the TSA security checkpoint, navigating the terminal to their gate, and boarding an aircraft provided by Republic Airways dba United Express. Passengers fastened their seatbelts, sat through the safety announcements, were treated to the airline’s snack and beverage service as if the flight was en route, and for the first time ever , the pilots were able to start the engines, seal the door, and move the plane on the runway (though never taking off) All participants were encouraged to ask questions of the pilot and cabin crew. Thank you to you and all of your collaborators and volunteers for putting on such a wonderful event! Devin and I had a wonderful time -- everyone was so kind and understanding when he had one or two anxious moments, and afterwards, he was so proud of himself for trying something (very) new for him! We can’t say enough to express our appreciation! Jenn (parent) We are so thankful from the bottom of our hearts all the way from Blackwood, NJ. It was worth the five hour trek! Debi (parent) Wings for All Reached Its Destination Safely With some new surprises this year!
Thank you so much, we had a great experience on Saturday. What a wonderful program! Nicole (parent)
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator