Victoria International Airport offering autism resource kits for travellers
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) has partnered with the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) to make autism resource kits available to children, young people and families who are travelling by air.
The kits were specially developed by CAN to help reduce the anxiety of travel, including noise-cancelling headphones, sensory fidget items and an air travel themed activity book.
CAN says that in the near future, the kits will also include an interactive checklist, an airport map and travel tips.
"Having these resource kits available at YYJ is a game changer," said CAN training and engagement director Hallie Mitchell.
"With one in 29 children and youth on the spectrum in B.C., this new initiative seeks to increase autism accessibility, reduce the anxiety associated with air travel and help with some of those sensory sensitivities that folks might encounter[while travelling]."
Mitchell adds that she hopes the kits will help more people feel like travelling by plane is a possibility for them and their family.
To launch the program, YYJ welcomed 50 people from the CAN community to rehearse the entire pre-flight experience. The April 29 event included a step-by-step walkthrough of the air travel process, from check-in and pre-flight security to boarding an airplane for a simulated flight.
"Many people on the autism spectrum experience anxiety and sensory sensitivities related to air travel, and for some individuals and families this holds them back from travelling," said Mitchell.
"Airport rehearsals can greatly benefit autistic individuals and the step-by-step travel resources can help people understand what the experience will look like leading them to feel less anxiety and a little more predictability about the experience."
The partnership between CAN and the Victoria International Airport Authority to make the autism resource kits available launched after the success of the program at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW). The program also received support from the Air Canada Foundation.
"Families who have access to resources and who come in to an airport environment that is accepting and understanding of some of the differences they might face are welcomed in to that air travel experience," said Mitchell. "They feel that world of air travel is a possibility for their family."
The autism resource kits are available at the YYJ's Red Coat information desk in arrivals, or the customer service desk in the departures area and online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.