Autistic-led insights on airport accessibility: A retrospective analysis of environmental assessments

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Edwards, C., Love, A. M., Cai, R. Y., Tutton, T., Beardsley, E., & Gibbs, V. (2025). Autistic-led insights on airport accessibility: A retrospective analysis of environmental assessments. Autism, 29(8), 2151-2162. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251337200

Publication date: 9 May 2025 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 6 (16.7%)
  1. Chris Edwards *
  2. Abigail M.A. Love
  3. Ru Ying Cai
  1. Tom Tutton
  2. Emma Beardsley
  3. Vicki Gibbs

Abstract

Autistic people often encounter significant barriers when navigating airports, largely due to overwhelming sensory environments, stringent security procedures, and crowded spaces. This study aimed to enhance understanding of airport accessibility by retrospectively analyzing reports from Autistic-led environmental assessments conducted at six Australian airports between 2017 and 2024. Drawing on an evidence-informed autism-friendly framework, the assessments focused on eight key elements, including sensory adaptations, communication supports, and preparation and predictability. Through reflexive thematic analysis, two key themes were generated: (1) navigating the sensory landscape and (2) help passengers navigate with confidence. Our findings underscore the importance of sensory adjustments-such as natural lighting and quiet spaces-alongside clearer visual aids and communication supports. Importantly, this study represents the first systematic application of autism-friendly principles to airport environments, offering practical, evidence-based recommendations for more inclusive design. By foregrounding the perspectives of Autistic individuals, this research highlights the need for participatory design approaches to create public spaces that are genuinely accessible and supportive for Autistic travelersLay abstractAirports can be challenging for Autistic people because of overwhelming sensory experiences like bright lights and loud noises, security processes, and crowded spaces. This study analyzed reports from six Australian airports, produced between 2017 and 2024, to understand how airports can be made better for Autistic travelers. These reports were based on assessments led by Autistic people and used a specific framework to evaluate areas like sensory experiences and communication needs. The study found two main ways to improve accessibility: (1) reducing sensory challenges, like loud noises or bright, overwhelming areas, and (2) improving communication and wayfinding to make navigation clearer and easier. Some of the recommendations included providing quiet spaces for travelers, using softer and more natural lighting, and improving signs to make it easier for people to navigate airports. This is the first study to apply autism-friendly principles to airports and shows the importance of involving Autistic people in the design of more inclusive public spaces. The findings offer practical recommendations for airports around the world to better support Autistic travelers.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
37
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
9 / 37 (24.3%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
11 / 139 (7.9%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 11 / 49 (22.4%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 10 / 128 (7.8%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
49 / 139 (35.3%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 41 / 128 (32.0%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
38 / 49 (77.6%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 38 / 139 (27.3%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 31 / 41 (75.6%).
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