FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 27, 2018
INFINITEACH PARTNERS WITH MSP AIRPORT TO LAUNCH APP THAT HELPS FAMILIES PREPARE FOR THE AIRPORT EXPERIENCE
Chicago, IL – Infiniteach today announced the launch of an app aimed at helping families – especially those with children or young adults with autism – prepare for their trips through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
The free, and first-of-its-kind for airports, Navigate MSP app was developed to help reduce the anxiety sometimes associated with air travel by providing interactive and mixed media content that can be used prior to and during travel that illustrates what one might expect while moving through the airport.
“Over the past two years, Infiniteach has partnered with cultural institutions across the U.S. to help their spaces become more accessible and inclusive,” said Katie Hench, co-founder and CEO of Infiniteach. “But we knew our approach could help in other settings, like airports. We are thrilled to partner with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – an already proven leader in airport accessibility.”
The app uses videos to help kids visualize the different areas and parts of the airport, and narratives that can either be read or listened to, a schedule maker, and games to help children get ready for the family’s trip. While at the airport, children can use the “communicate” function to communicate needs and parents can use it to remind their children of appropriate behavior and common activities at the airport.
“Families with children who are sensitive to crowds, noise, scents or light sometimes skip taking family vacations due to the anxiety that can accompany such excursions,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “This app, in conjunction with our Navigating MSP Airport program, helps families be able to enjoy trips together.”
While the app was created for children with autism, it can be used by anyone to help orient and prepare family members for the airport experience.
The app is available for Apple and Android phones. To download the app, visit www.wp.infiniteach.com/apps or go to your device’s app store and search for Navigate MSP.
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Infiniteach is a mission-driven social enterprise committed to creating an inclusive world for individuals with autism. Founded in 2013, Infiniteach develops innovative digital apps to support inclusive schools, communities, and employment.
Infiniteach iOS and Android apps are uniquely branded for each partner, and include interactive tools such as customizable schedules and sensor-friendly maps. Each app utilizes best practice autism interventions and proven strategies to increase independence and improve quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. Infiniteach is helping cultural institutions, nonprofits, and businesses reach and support new visitors by becoming industry leaders in accessibility.
Infiniteach has more than twenty partners across the country, including Shedd Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Chicago Public Library, Kansas City Zoo, Milwaukee Public Museum, The Field Museum, Minnesota Zoo, Major League Baseball teams including the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres, and Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. Infiniteach is committed to creating inclusion technology for the autism community, with the autism community. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our blog.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is a public corporation of the state of Minnesota. The MAC owns and operates seven airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. All together MAC airports generate nearly $17 billion a year for the area economy and support more than 87,000 jobs. The MAC is funded through rents and user fees generated from airport users, not from income or property taxes. Learn more at www.metroairports.org.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of seven airports owned and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, a public corporation of the state of Minnesota. MSP has the 13th busiest airfield in the United States and ranks 17th in travelers served. The airport generates almost $16 billion annually for the Twin Cities area economy and supports more than 86,000 area jobs. The commission is funded by rents and fees paid by airport users, not by general tax dollars.
Navigating MSP Airport is a free program that provides children and adults (and their families) who might have difficulty navigating the airport an opportunity to walk through the process of arriving at MSP airport, making their way to their gate and getting on an airplane, as a test run for taking an actual flight in the future. The program is a partnership between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Fraser and the Autism Society of Minnesota.
CONTACT
Katie Hench, Infiniteach CEO
773-456-3655 / [email protected]
Melissa Scovronski, MSP Airport
651-341-9097