Emma Beardsley used to dread the airport security line.
“I used to panic every time they made me take my headphones off at security,” the autistic traveller recalls. “The noise and the unpredictability can be overwhelming.”
Now, thanks to a new rule allowing noise-cancelling headphones to stay on during screening, Beardsley says she can “travel more confidently and safely”- and she’s not alone.
One in four Australians lives with a disability, yet many aspects of the travel process still aren’t equipped to support additional needs. That’s why autism-inclusion experts from Aspect Autism Friendly have welcomed the government’s new guidance allowing autistic travellers to keep noise-cancelling headphones on during airport security screening – a move they call a major step toward more inclusive air travel.
Speaking to Travel Weekly, Dr Tom Tutton, Head of Aspect Autism Friendly, underlined the importance of travel:
“Travel is really big for people to connect with family and friends. It’s important for work, for learning and for experiencing the world.”
But he noted that the airport experience can often be extremely challenging for autistic travellers.
“Airports are busy, noisy, random and quite confusing places… you’ve got renovations, food courts, blenders, coffee grinders, trolleys clattering, buggies going beep beep, and constant security announcements. It’s really, really overwhelming.”
“What might be an irritation for me is something that would absolutely destroy my colleague [who has autism]. Surprise noises of a certain tone or volume can genuinely be experienced as painful.”
The policy update – now live on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website – means travellers who rely on noise-cancelling headphones as a disability support tool can request to wear them through body scanners, with secondary screening of the device if required.
Dr Tutton said the change recognises the barriers autistic people face at airports and will help reduce stress and sensory overload at a critical point in the journey.
“This is a small procedural change, but it has a huge impact on the travel experience for Autistic people. We are working with our airport partners to ensure this messaging gets to all security staff,” he said.
For many autistic travellers, headphones are essential for navigating loud, unpredictable environments. Until now, removing them during screening was a common source of distress – and even travel avoidance.
Aspect Autism Friendly has worked with airports across Australia to improve accessibility for autistic people and those with hidden disabilities. The team provides customised training for airport staff, autism-friendly audits to help build predictability before travel (such as visual stories and sensory maps), and a range of airport-based supports and accommodations.
Previous initiatives include partnering with Qantas on an autism-friendly famil.
“Airports have become this big focus for us of trying to make that little bit of travel easier and better,” Dr Tutton said.
“Our work means that we have to travel. My colleague Emma and I were in Perth over the weekend supporting Disney to do a relaxed performance of Beauty and the Beast. So travel is really important for us and very much central to what we do.”
Dr Tutton encourages people booking trips for travellers with disabilities, including autism, to check the Airport’s website before travel.
“A number of airports now have quiet rooms or sensory spaces – Adelaide is a good example – where travellers can step away from the noise and calm themselves before boarding. Those dedicated areas make a huge difference for autistic people.”
As Tutton points out, making airports more friendly for people with disabilities can actually benefit everyone.
“These supports help lots of other people too. When people are more patient, kind and supportive, the benefits flow to everyone. We all prefer environments that are well structured, sensory-friendly, predictable and easy to navigate, so there are flow-on benefits for many travellers.”
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