Podcast Summary: Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide

Episode: Cheryl Bischoff – Making Travel Journeys Autism Friendly
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Cheryl Bischoff, Owner, Here I Go Travel
Date: April 10, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on making travel more accessible and empowering for autistic individuals and their families. Cheryl Bischoff, a certified Autism Travel Professional, joins Tony Mantor to share her journey in building inclusive travel experiences, airport practice events, and resources that help neurodivergent people travel the world with confidence. The conversation explores the structure and strategies behind her work, testimonials from families served, and a vision for expanding autism-friendly travel practices across the country.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Cheryl and Her Mission

• Cheryl owns Here I Go Travel, a full-service agency specializing in personalized travel planning for clients with unique needs.
  • "We're a full service custom travel agency, and we assist many people across the country in their travels, whether domestic or international, and all sorts of travel styles." (05:36)
• Her focus broadened after becoming a Certified Autism Travel Professional, leading her to develop airport practice events that give autistic travelers a hands-on, preparatory experience before their real trip.

What Is an Airport Practice Event?

• Cheryl explains the structured, immersive simulations:
  • Participants walk through the terminal, get boarding passes, clear TSA, experience airport announcements, and even sit on a plane to demystify air travel.
    • "We come into the terminal, we get a boarding pass, we proceed to TSA checkpoint, ... We scan our boarding passes, we go down the jet bridge, we get onto the plane, ... and we buckle up." (06:22)
  • Opportunity to explore and practice in a low-pressure setting, addressing elements like confined space, crowds, sounds, smells, and announcements.

Growth of Certified Autism Travel Programs

• Cheryl discusses the global momentum behind inclusive travel:
  • Initial certifications were limited to medical and travel professionals.
  • Now, entire airports, cities, airlines, and destinations can be certified.
  • Dubai's airport is highlighted as the first to achieve autism-friendly certification, ensuring staff are trained to assist autistic travelers. (07:32–08:18)

Making Travel Autistic-Inclusive Beyond Accessibility

• Not just ramps and elevators, but creating a sensory-considerate environment:
  • Identifying sensory triggers: "We want to hit sound, noise, pollution, light, places to reset and a little bit of desensitization." (09:24)
  • Sensory-friendly rooms in airports are increasingly common.
  • Travel preparation includes working through sensitivities to noise, smells (like jet fuel), and touch, with tailored strategies for each family.

Leveraging Resources & Building Trust with Families

• Cheryl offers specialized knowledge and tools unknown to most travelers, e.g.:
  • TSA Cares: advanced registration for screening accommodations
  • TSA can set wands to vibrate-only for sensitive travelers (12:46)
• Testimonials, repeat participation, and word-of-mouth are key to reassuring families.
  • "I have tools in my toolbox that some people may not even know exist." (11:54)

Inclusion Across Ages and Needs

• Cheryl emphasizes her events are for all ages – children, teens, adults.
  • The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is discussed: wearing badges or lanyards so trained staff can discreetly offer extra support without the need for visible cues or explanation (15:19–17:25).
  • Personalization is paramount: "I prepare lanyards. They can choose to identify or not. ... I have little cards made up that say something as basic as 'please be patient'..." (16:54)

Real-World Impact: Stories of Empowerment

• The training builds confidence even for those previously unsure about traveling.
• Cheryl shares an impactful moment:
  • "One of the families went through and at the very end they said that their child had never ridden an escalator... they tried and tried and tried until he rode the escalator. That wasn't even the goal of the day. But yet it's part of the airport experience." (23:07)
  • Even unforeseen achievements become sources of empowerment for families.

Practical Process for Autistic Travelers

• Individualized, step-by-step preparation:
  • Door-to-door planning as needed.
  • Detailed walkthrough of what will happen on travel days.
  • Families are encouraged to bring comfort items (motivators) for support.
  • Advocates for choosing direct flights for first-timers to minimize stress and logistics (18:44–21:01).

Building Community & Expanding Reach

• Cheryl’s program is actively growing; she is open for collaborations with other communities and stresses the importance of:
  • Sponsorships for event costs (always free to participants).
  • Community partnerships (providers, resource centers).
  • Recruiting participants to demonstrate demand for airports.

Broader Takeaways

• The purpose is not just vacation: travel is a necessity
  • “Travel is no longer a luxury. It is vitally important in keeping people connected with family. It connects them with job opportunities, medical care, and world experiences. We want to keep families together. We want to keep people gainfully employed..." (28:32)
• Cheryl urges listeners: contact her to bring autism-friendly travel events to more areas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We want to keep families together. We want to keep people gainfully employed. You know, when it's time to go to a conference or time to go to another city for training, we want them to have that capability.” — Cheryl (28:32)
• “I have tools in my toolbox that some people may not even know exist.” — Cheryl (11:54)
• “One of the families went through and at the very end they said that their child had never ridden an escalator. … But yet it's part of the airport experience.” — Cheryl (23:07)
• “We are still very much forging what this looks like, how to get it accomplished. ... We've done probably four now, and I say every event we have, I always say, this is my first time to the rodeo.” — Cheryl (25:11)
• “If anyone listening is interested in bringing this to their community, I'd love to hear from you. My contact information is on the website. ... We need sponsorship and participants.” — Cheryl (29:08)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 05:36 | Cheryl introduces her travel agency and specialized mission | | 06:22 | Walkthrough of airport practice events for autistic travelers | | 07:32–08:18 | Dubai and the international growth of certified autism-friendly travel programs | | 09:24 | Sensory considerations and desensitization during travel | | 11:54 | Trusted resources, tools, and leveraging programs like TSA Cares | | 15:19–17:25 | The Sunflower Program and handling invisible disabilities in airports | | 18:44 | Preparing travelers for independence and the benefit of practice events | | 21:59 | Opportunities to improve: sensory rooms and inclusive staff training | | 23:07 | Story about a child overcoming the escalator, illustrating unexpected victories | | 25:04 | How to find and connect with Cheryl and her upcoming events | | 28:32 | Why accessible travel is essential, not a luxury | | 29:08 | How listeners can help bring this work to their own communities |

How Listeners Can Connect & Get Involved

• Cheryl’s organization:
  • Website: www.navigateevents.org
  • Facebook / Instagram: @navigateevents
• Looking for:
  • Sponsorships to keep events free
  • Participant families and community organizations
• Open invitation for listeners to reach out to collaborate in their own communities.

Final Thoughts

Cheryl’s work is a testament to the power of empathy, preparation, and creative problem-solving in travel. The episode delivers practical tips for families, travel professionals, and advocates while challenging communities and the industry to rethink what accessible travel truly means. Whether you’re planning a trip or supporting someone on the spectrum, this episode is a valuable resource for building confidence and inclusion at every step of the journey.