Travel is a way of learning, it is a way of growing up, it is a way to self sufficiency and understanding of others, and it is also the way to acceptance. “For some the experience of traveling could bring them into a new level of awareness”.  This is a three-prong project: I) Creating a program for young autistic people to travel the country to friendly autistic destinations as a way of learning, self discovery, and personal development. II). Identifying and creating such destinations; that are “autistic friendly and safe”. III). Creating assistive travel services to support autistic travelers.

1. Initiate the program, which will promote travel by young autistic adults 18 and over. The program would provide advice and assistance (including financial) in travel to “Autistic destinations” (see II below).People in this program are the ‘de facto’ trail blazers and will be breaking ground in many ways. We may call this program – ‘Autistic-Trail-Blazers’ and we should map and systematically document their path, and anything of importance, as it relates to their travel experience: places to stop for the night, places to eat, shop, to meet people. To the extend possible the course of travel should be charted prior to the travel with various supports available on the way (see III below). The first pilot for this program could be assisting groups of volunteers in their travel to Ocate Cliffs this summer.

   There is a Mitsubishi grant for 2015 that we should try qualify for (see ASAN grant for their college leadership program; the Trail-blazers project has a congruent purpose, and is just as important.) We should apply for this grant and also seek other assistance as well as sponsors.

2. Autistic Destinations are places where autistic people can feel welcome and safe. Some, like Ocate Cliffs and GAIA are planned to be that from the beginning. Others would emerge as the project gains strength; places becoming Autistic friendly – in every state, in national parks, towns, and villages – places where people would accept us as guests, friends, and welcome customers – customers served according to their custom.National and State parks would be first on a list of potential destinations but would require their staff trained and autistic friendly services available. This however would require a conscious effort by many people at these destinations (creating a need for autistic advisory to these organization and the associated services).

   Making destinations autistic friendly is an essential part of this project. The other part is a creation of an autistic travel guide – call it Autistic Guide to the Galaxy – an interactive living guide to Autistic Destinations, including autistic guest houses (tiny islands on a way), providing safe places (tent in a backyard, or a bed and a meal, etc), and volunteer people who would help travelers along the way when needed. This guide would be maintained by this project (or the entity that it evolves into).

3. In order to support the traveler in planning and in transit, there is also a need for the service which would go beyond just travel agency, with people, and collaborating agencies, and organizations, and the participating service industry which would adapt autistic friendly approach – creating a comprehensive network of supports for autistic traveler. This service would need to rely both on volunteers and the people who would get compensated, as well as we’d need the transportation agencies to work with us. It would take time to build, but once it starts rolling, we believe, it will happen fast.Traveling is not an easy thing, and it is harder for an autistic person. There is a need for many supports. This service is needed and would be used.

   On a technical side this project could be greatly enhanced by good software (we may need to develop or alternatively we may partner with somebody who has the software as well as the expertise).

Summary: This project is about Autistic Travel as a way of growing up and also paving the road for the others; it is also about Changing the World by creating Autistic Destinations and enabling Autistic Travel to them.