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Meeting the Needs Inclusivity improves the travel experience for people with autism. BY: EUGENIA LAZARIS additional time or assistance, England’s Gatwick Airport offers an identification system in which passengers receive a lanyard with a sunflower. Gatwick takes things a step further as the first airport to offer a sensory room for travelers who need a quiet, calming space to regroup away from the fast pace of an international airport terminal. The sensory room offers soft surfaces like floor cushions and bean bag chairs, dim lighting and digital wall displays with colorful visual features. Once travelers arrive at a destination, the supportive services remain important. Beaches Resorts by Sandals checks all the boxes as the first resort company to complete the rigorous Training and Autism Certification through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Each THOSE WITH AUTISM MAY FIND TRAVEL DAUNTING, SO employee must undergo 40 MANY AIRPORTS OFFER PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO LESSEN hours of autism sensitivity training, and the resorts offer STRESS AND ANXIETY. unique touches like friendly pets roaming the grounds and sensory toys and pillows for young guests. Beaches will also introduce utism can present its own unique challenges but should a new Sensory Stimulation Guide to help guests familiarize themselves never prevent individuals and their loved ones from Safe Space: with their surroundings and the services available. exploring the world through travel. Luckily, autismThe sensory room at Gatwick These family-friendly resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos friendly travel is on the rise. As destinations and service Airport feature an all-inclusive model that incorporates childcare and proproviders discover the importance of inclusivity, each day opportuniPHOTO: © GATWICK grams that enhance every aspect of the stay, such as certified autism ties grow that cater to the unique needs of the autism spectrum. AIRPORT Those with autism may find travel daunting, so many airports offer kids’ camps. These programs let little ones interact with other children their age in an environment that fosters social skills, communication programs designed to lessen stress and anxiety. Miami International and sensory and emotional awareness. Airport, for example, offers an airport readiness and instruction According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, program, MIAair. This dress rehearsal program allows passengers one in 44 children born in 2010 was identified with autism spectrum with disabilities to prepare for upcoming trips in a safe and controlled disorder, while just one in 88 born in 2000 was identified. As these environment. Participants can attend a pre-travel session in which numbers continue to grow, so, too, will the need for inclusive travel they go through all the steps of an ordinary trip, from checking in to experiencing a mock flight. This teaches travelers what to expect so the options that accommodate all types of travelers. It will be exciting to see the ways in which more companies and destinations adapt to meet big day is a familiar experience. those needs. To help airport staff identify travelers with autism who may need
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globaltravelerusa.com MAY 2022
