Wings for Autism® lands in Greenville/Spartanburg

On April 29 at 3:30 pm, The Arc of the United States will hold a Wings for All® event at Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) for the first time in the program’s history. The Arc of South Carolina, in partnership with GSP, Delta, TSA, the South Carolina Autism Society, Agapi Behavioral Consultants, Project Hope Foundation, and Thrive Upstate, and is sponsored by the South Carolina Physicians Care Charity, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, and ASE Advisory Group.

Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® 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 in Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Port Authority, Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® was created 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®/Wings for All® also gives airport, airline, TSA 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 (I/DD) that are concerned about the ability of their family member to travel.

More than 100 participants from the Greenville/Spartanburg area are expected to attend the event.  Upon arrival, event attendees will check in to receive their boarding pass, go through security, and be greeted at the gate prior to boarding the plane.