An airport dress rehearsal for people with disabilities
'Wings for All' program aims to help overcome anxieties over loud noises, bright lights and tight spaces
The following article appeared in the April 15, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
Air travel can be extra stressful for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so an airport program provides a practice run to learn the ropes
Lyla Isenhour (right) and her mother, Crystal (left), practiced going through security, finding their gate and boarding an airplane so that Lyla is ready for future trips with her family.
by Lindsey Banks
On Saturday, Lyla Isenhour swiftly kicked off her sneakers, placed her suitcase onto the TSA security belt and walked through the security screener at Checkpoint A of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Her mother, Crystal, followed close behind.
Lyla, 15, looked like a pro — someone who’s been through TSA dozens of times. But it was actually her first time at an airport. She has an auditory processing disorder, which makes it difficult to be in crowded and noisy places.
Lyla was one of 50 participants in Saturday’s Wings for All program, an annual event that gives people with intellectual disabilities and their families a chance to practice moving through the airport and even boarding a plane in preparation for a real trip. The program is in partnership with the Charlotte airport, Delta Airlines and The Arc, a non-profit organization that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Wings for All has been offered at Charlotte Douglas for the past decade.
Airports are not generally considered relaxing or comfortable places, with their long lines, often-crowded walkways and occasional last-minute gate changes. But for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, they can be extra overwhelming because of loud noises, bright lights and tight spaces.
Having the opportunity to practice the process of moving through security, finding the gate and loading and exiting the plane during the Wings for All program has been a game-changer for many families who didn’t see traveling with their loved ones as a possibility, organizers said.
“You really feel all of the [senses] at TSA,” said Rebecca Levi, advocacy and outreach manager at The Arc of Union/Cabarrus County. “Not only is it a good practice for those with disabilities, but it’s also a good practice for the employees of the airport so they know what it’s like to work and help those with disabilities.”
Lyla and Crystal Isenhour don’t have any flights on the books, but they wanted to prepare ahead of time so they can be ready to fly to visit family in other cities. Some participants on Saturday already have flights booked for the near future.
“When we can give them the lights and repetition, when we can experience something more than once, when they can become familiar with ‘I know that sound, and that’s not a scary sound,’ then they can be excited about coming,” Crystal Isenhour said.
Lyla’s older sister, Sierra, went through the Wings for All program a couple of years ago after Crystal found out about the program on an autism resources website, Crystal said. Sierra, who is on the autism spectrum, has since traveled by herself, and Crystal hopes that Lyla will one day be able to fly by herself, too.
“When we get on [the plane], the engines will come on, and it’s actually quite scary,” Crystal said. “The airport, and just this amount of people, is quite scary. [Lyla] has an auditory processing disorder, and it’s very loud in the airport.” Crystal wanted Lyla to understand how to listen for intercom announcements and know what to do if she couldn’t hear them clearly.
Lyla, who said she was looking forward to getting on an airplane for the first time, prepared by watching TikToks and reading “Diary of Wimpy Kid” books related to airports. Crystal said she was surprised by how much Lyla already knew when they arrived on Saturday, like that they would be walking through the jet bridge to board the plane.
From TSA screening to chicken fingers at the gate: First, the participants, who ranged in age from 6 to their late 20s, went through airport security at Checkpoint A, accompanied by a parent or guardian. They each brought a book bag or suitcase for practice, many of which had tablets or phones that had to be taken out, and some wore headphones to help control the volume of the airport bustle.
They walked through the metal detector and picked up their items, many stopping to roll their hands along the collection belt.
Parents stopped to explain to their children the need for airport security to keep them safe. Some participants needed a little extra encouragement walking through the metal detector.
Next, the group joined the flow of foot traffic and walked to gate A21, where they were met with flight attendants, ground staff and their pilot for the evening. Participants mingled and asked questions, like what type of plane they would be getting on. (A Boeing 717, a flight attendant answered.)
A dinner of chicken fingers was provided as part of the experience, and the new flyers participated in a classic airport ritual: eating a meal at the gate while waiting to board.
Then, according to the guest boarding passes they were issued, participants and their flying partners were called by groups to board the plane. Most seemed at ease, but one or two participants became uncomfortable and needed to get off the plane shortly after boarding.
Once the plane was loaded, the pilot took the plane out for a ride, even pushing the speed to resemble takeoff. As they made their way back to the gate, two fire trucks flanked either side and sprayed water over the plane in celebration.
When the plane returned to the gate and passengers got off, most seemed at ease but a couple of participants seemed overwhelmed. From security to boarding, the entire process took 2 hours.
Other airport services geared toward people with special needs: Charlotte’s airport also offers other resources to make traveling more comfortable for those who may get overwhelmed.
Volunteer therapy dogs are available to schedule ahead of time if a flier needs a furry friend to de-stress. On Saturday, three pups — Parker, Church and Bibi — visited the group at the gate. (Airport staff even had trading cards of the pups, which were a big hit among the dog lovers in the group.)
The Charlotte airport also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, for which Lyla came prepared. She sported a green wristband with sunflowers, a symbol that signifies hidden disabilities so airport staff knows she might need a little extra help. The program is recognized at airports around the world.
After exiting the flight, the excitement on Lyla’s face was undeniable. She grabbed her Delta goody bag, which was complete with a model airplane, and Lyla and her mother left with a newfound confidence in Lyla’s ability to navigate the airport.
“I’ve learned how to check in, I’ve learned where to go, I’ve learned where the signs are,” Lyla told The Ledger. “I learned when you have to go through security, you have to put your phone in there, too.”
Where to next? Lyla told The Ledger that she hopes to one day fly to France, Hawaii and Disney World.
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
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