For the second year in a row, The Arc of Essex County, The Arc of New Jersey, and United Airlines are teaming up to bring Wings for All to Newark Liberty International Airport. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Wings for All is an airport “rehearsal” program created to alleviate some of the stress individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families experience when traveling by air. The program helps ease family concerns regarding how their loved one will react to different stimuli in the airport, such as bright lights, noises, TSA security screening, and crowds. This program aims to give solutions to these concerns to make air travel easier.

Wings for All also gives airport, airline, TSA professionals, and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact with, and deliver their services in a structured learning environment.

During a Wings for All event, participants:

• Check in to receive their boarding passes

• Pass through the TSA security checkpoint

• Wait in the boarding area

• Board an aircraft (that does not take off)

The program also features a presentation on the aircraft’s features and in-flight safety protocols. In addition, it gives families the opportunity to visit the Sensory Room in Terminal A, which is a calming space for families who need a sensory break during their airport visit.

Registration for Wings for All is free, and will be posted soon.