Traveling can be a challenge for any family, but especially for families of children with sensory issues.

To help make that challenge a little easier, the Houston Airport System has teamed up once again with advocate group The Arc, United Airlines, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), The Arc of Fort Bend County, The Arc of Greater Houston and The Arc of Texas to offer Wings for All® events at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Photos from the event are available here.

On April 24, 2018,  Bush Intercontinental hosted the biannual event, with a number of families participating an airport “rehearsal” specially designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and aviation professionals. Families were given the opportunity to participate in the entire airport experience by practicing entering the airport, obtaining boarding passes, going through security, and boarding an airplane. 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.

Wings for All® — one of The Arc’s newest national initiatives — was originally developed by the Charles River Center, a local chapter of The Arc in Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Port Authority. In the last year, more than 500 families from all over the country have taken part in these events.