HANOVER TWP., LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — Lehigh Valley International Airport will hold a “dress rehearsal” for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, offering a low-pressure practice run of catching a flight, officials announced Tuesday.
The program, called Wings for All, last came to LVIA more than five years ago through The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, a local chapter of the national advocacy group for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities like autism.
“Most examples we see is that people find out, ‘Oh, this really wasn't as difficult as we thought it could be. This seems manageable and we have enough support here.'"Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority Executive Director Tom Stoudt
Once a regular occurrence before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will return to LVIA on June 15. To register: https://arcoflehighnorthampton.org/wings24/
“Over the years doing these events, we've had a number of examples of families who weren't sure if their family member would be able to fly,” Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority Executive Director Tom Stoudt said.
A 'trial run'
Wings for All gives families a low-stakes trial run to find out whether air travel will work for them, Stoudt said.
“Most examples we see is that people find out, ‘Oh, this really wasn't as difficult as we thought it could be. This seems manageable and we have enough support here,’” he said.
At the same time, airport staff get a hands-on education in helping people with disabilities navigate LVIA.
“For families who thought they would never be able to travel by air, this event provides hope. The rehearsal takes place right in their own community and makes air travel a true possibility for them.”The Arc Chief Executive Officer Karen Shoemaker, in a statement.
Participants will check in at the ticket counter, pass through the TSA security checkpoint, board a Delta Airlines aircraft and deplane for a reception, according to a release from the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority.
They also will tour the airport’s sensory room, designed as an escape from the airport’s sensory overload for people who need one.
“For families who thought they would never be able to travel by air, this event provides hope," The Arc Chief Executive Officer Karen Shoemaker wrote in a statement.
"The rehearsal takes place right in their own community and makes air travel a true possibility for them.”
Colin Riccobon, LNAA’s director of community relations, said the airport hopes to once again make Wings for Hope a regular event at the Lehigh valley airport, giving participants a chance to gradually become more comfortable with passing through LVIA — and airports generally — over time.
