Making airports autism-friendly

While most of us can navigate airports without a second thought, those with disabilities can find it much more difficult – and people who have hidden disabilities like autism face their own unique challenges. As airports and airlines implement more accessibility measures for those with obvious needs like wheelchair users and the visually impaired, less is known on what to do for autistic travellers who can face severe sensory issues in the noisy, chaotic environment of an airport. Fortunately, the tide is starting to turn, with sunflower lanyards making hidden disabilities more visible, and policy changes allowing autistic people to use aids like noise-cancelling headphones to make their airport journeys easier. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Emma Beardsley and Dr Tom Tutton from Aspect Autism Friendly on what autistic people have to deal with at airports, and how not just staff but other travellers can support fellow passengers with a sunflower lanyard.