Autistic children and families take flight with Autism Ontario, Air Canada, and Air Canada Foundation in Ottawa
On Saturday, September 26, Autism Ontario, in partnership with Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation, will host Autism Aviation Day at Ottawa International Airport. Organized in collaboration with Ottawa International Airport and Trait d’Union Outaouais (TUO), the event provides autistic children, youth, and their families a hands-on walkthrough of the air travel experience in a calm, supported setting, from check-in and security screening to boarding and more.
Air travel can involve unfamiliar routines, busy environments, and unexpected moments that may make the experience challenging for many families. Autism Aviation Days help participants become familiar with the airport process and experience a short flight in a supportive environment, building confidence and reducing uncertainty around future travel.
Events like these give autistic people and their families opportunities to try new experiences in a welcoming setting while connecting with other families and community partners.
“Travel allows families to share important moments and experiences together, yet many avoid flying because airports can be overwhelming without the opportunity to prepare,” says Marg Spoelstra, Chief Executive Officer of Autism Ontario. “Autism Aviation Day helps change that by giving autistic children and youth the space to experience the airport environment on their own terms. When families can practice together without the pressure of a travel day, uncertainty can give way to confidence. This is about more than preparing for a flight; it is about helping ensure autistic individuals and their families have greater access to the experiences that connect us all."
This year’s event is being held in collaboration with Trait d’Union Outaouais (TUO), which serves autistic people and their families across the Outaouais region. This will be TUO’s first time participating in an Autism Aviation Day, with many families from the organization already registered and looking forward to the experience.
“Creating inclusive experiences often starts with creating the conditions for families to try something new together. It also takes collaboration — bringing organizations, communities, and families together to make those experiences possible,” says Federico Gauchat, directeur général de Trait d’Union Outaouais. “We’re excited to take part in Ottawa’s first Autism Aviation Day and to see families from the Outaouais come together for this experience. Together, we can show what inclusion can look like.”
Earlier this summer, during Autism Aviation Day at Toronto Pearson Airport, autistic children, youth, and their families experienced the excitement of air travel with support from Air Canada’s Customer Accessibility team, helping create a more inclusive and welcoming travel experience.
“We are proud to work alongside incredible partners to make air travel more accessible and welcoming for autistic children and families,” says Eric Lauzon, Director, Community Relations & Partnerships at Air Canada. "Together, we are helping families gain confidence in the travel experience while bringing Autism Aviation Days to more communities across the country.”
“Improving the accessibility journey at YOW is an ongoing effort that depends on strong collaboration across the airport campus,” says Sandra Alvarez, Director, Passenger Experience at Ottawa International Airport Authority. “The Authority is committed to continuing to identify, remove and prevent barriers to help everyone best navigate the airport. Hosting Ottawa’s first Autism Aviation Day is one of YOW’s many initiatives that make travel experience a little easier for people who are neurodiverse.”
At the heart of Autism Aviation Days are accessibility, confidence, and empowerment. Autism Ontario, Trait d’Union Outaouais, Air Canada, and the Air Canada Foundation share a commitment to creating more opportunities for autistic children, youth, and their families to explore new experiences and travel with greater confidence.
For more information, please email Autism Ontario’s media team at [email protected].