Special Needs on Vacation

Special Needs on Vacation

Vacations for Adults and Families living with Autism, Down Syndrome and other Related Disabilities Featuring Cruise and Land Resort Options

http://www.autismontheseas.com/

Air Travel for people with autism

I currently have one nearly 9yo who is getting very anxious over flying out of australia in our near future. Looking for resources and thought I definitely need to share! (especially as there seems to be little else to share lately, funny how there are slow times and busy times with the activities available for PWD in the ACT)

Autistic Globetrotting
http://www.autisticglobetrotting.com/

Travelling through the airport - Dublin Airport
http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/autism-asd.aspx

Airport awareness - Manchester Airport
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/4D4CC20F97DD74008025736400407C2E/$File/Airport+Awareness+book.pdf

"Autism Explores" program at Newark Airport
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_autistic_children_brave_con.html

Airports, Airplanes & Autism (from Florida)
http://www.umcard.org/files/CARD_AwarenessBrochures_Airport.pdf
I really like this one to print out to take with you to help explain your child's autism

a whole list of links and resources, though now 5 years old
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19426&KW=airplane+travel+resources

and one mother's experience: Airlines and Autism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-hall/airlines-and-autism_b_933179.html?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%

wow, the sydney airport info is pretty woeful for people with an ASD...
http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/prepare/quick-links/special-assistance.aspx

and some Australian resources....


Holidays: Preparation and Practicalities for Families with an Individual with an ASD
http://www.amaze.org.au/uploads/2011/08/Fact-Sheet-Holidays-Preparation-and-Practicalities-Aug-2011.pdf

 tips for travel
http://autismcommunity.weebly.com/long-travel-with-asd-child.html

More on the Jetstar case

AFDO statement
http://www.afdo.org.au/node/391

Law Clipping the Wings of People with Disability The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has called for an overhaul of disability discrimination laws in light of Friday’s Federal Court ruling in King vs. Jetstar. The ruling found that while Jetstar had discriminated against Ms Sheila King, a wheelchair user, by not allowing her on a flight which already had two other wheelchair users, it had done so for reasons of unjustifiable hardship. Jetstar argued that a higher cap on the number of wheelchair users per flight would lead to longer turnaround times and ultimately, fewer flights.

ABC radio story
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3408070.htm

Seventy-eight-year-old Sheila King has waged a two year legal battle to prove that Jetstar had discriminated against her. In August 2008 the low cost airline refused to allow her to travel on a flight from Adelaide to Brisbane because they were already carrying two passengers who needed wheelchairs. Australia's disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes is adamant the two wheelchair policy is wrong.

ABC's 7:30 Report
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3411749.htm

It was 20 years ago that the Federal Disability Discrimination Act came into force in Australia. It's aim was clear - to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. But on its anniversary the Act has come under fresh scrutiny, because of a legal case involving a 78-year-old disabled woman, and budget carrier JetStar's domestic policy, not allowing more than two people needing wheelchairs on the same plane.

Wheelchair passenger loses Jetstar case

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/wheelchair-passenger-loses-jetstar-case-20120113-1pys7.html

A few good links...

some Autism / Asperger related links worth reading - though the one on travelling is probably quite relevant to any disability!

When the shrieking child is your son
http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/08/22/aspergers_son_open2011/index.html?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%

Cats, dogs & Asperger Syndrome
http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/cats-dogs-and-aspergers-syndrome/

Airlines and Autism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-hall/airlines-and-autism_b_933179.html?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%

I had to have the sex talk with my son and I lived to talk about it
http://www.autismsucksblog.com/2011/08/had-talk-with-my-son.html