12/08/2015

Dec. 4, 2015 — The Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati has awarded CVG, Delta Air Lines and TSA with its Faces of Autism Community Appreciation Award in recognition of the SOAR (Starting Our Adventure Right) Program.

The SOAR Program operates in conjunction with The Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati, Delta Air Lines and TSA.

SOAR is a unique acceptance-through-education opportunity, professionally designed to provide those on the Autism Spectrum first-hand airport familiarization and encouragement to travel by air while increasing understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among our airport community professionals. Individuals with ASD and up to three family members experience a fully guided tour of airport travel processes to include check-in, security, departure gate, aircraft on-boarding, and return to bag claim. Volunteer health, airport, airline, and security personnel will be present throughout for mutual support and education.

“We strive to accommodate our passengers at CVG. It is a true honor to be recognized alongside Delta Air Lines and TSA with 2015 Faces of Autism Community Appreciation Award by Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. “The SOAR Program is a great opportunity for families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to experience CVG. We want our passengers to feel safe and comfortable when flying.”

“Delta employees at CVG are proud to volunteer and support SOAR, an important community event. We enthusiastically look forward to it each time it’s presented,” said Eric Flannery, field director, Delta Air Lines. “We are humbled to receive the 2015 Faces of Autism Community Appreciation Award alongside CVG and TSA.”

“Our TSA Cares programs strives to provide travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process,” said Mark Howell, spokesperson, TSA. “The SOAR program is an extension of TSA Cares. We grateful to be honored with the 2015 Faces of Autism Community Appreciate Award with CVG and Delta Air Lines.”

“The families and children that we work with at The Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TKOC) are greatly appreciative of the SOAR program. Due to SOAR, some families can now fly to experience a family vacation,” said Dr. Jennifer Smith, psychologist at TKOC/Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Co-Chair of the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati, Faces of Autism Awards Committee.

Currently, the SOAR programs is offered twice a year at CVG. The next SOAR will be occur in Spring 2016. If you are interested in more information, please email info@cvgairport.com.