MIAair

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In 2015, MIA created a unique and timely program for children with autism and hearing disabilities called MIAair (Airport Instruction and Readiness). The program was created in a first-of-its-kind partnership between any airport and a major university, the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and the Ear Institute at UHealth – the University of Miami Health System. The program provides a “dress rehearsal” experience for travelers with special needs to practice the travel experience in a safe and controlled environment. The Aviation Department created the program and all the PR and marketing materials with in-house resources. The materials are available in English and Spanish, in hard copies and on-line at a special webpage for MIAair participants. All collateral and web links provided below. These materials include travel checklists, as well as a trip storyboard with step-by-step photos and instructions of airport procedures, boarding and the security check in process. The rehearsal also includes boarding a real aircraft for an imaginary “flight” to Disney World. To launch the program, on March 24 the Aviation Department hosted a press event with university doctors and our executive leadership. During the event, participants and their families, along with media, simulated the entire travel experience including boarding an American Airlines Boeing 757.