September 08, 2025

Wings for All: Flying with Heart – A Conversation with The Arc’s Samantha Alloway | Ep.784

1 hour 26 minutes

✈️ In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s Unified at Work Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois, for an inspiring conversation about the Wings for All program.

Recorded following the August 16, 2025 Wings for All event at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in partnership with United Airlines’ Bridge Disability Business Resource Group, this episode dives into:

What Wings for All is and why it matters for travelers with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD).

Behind-the-scenes stories from the event at O’Hare.

Heartwarming family moments, including a child who overcame fears to board an aircraft for the first time.

The importance of inclusion in airports, workplaces, schools, and communities.

🌟 Whether you’re a family member, advocate, airline professional, or community leader, this episode will leave you inspired to build a more inclusive world.

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Learn more about The Arc's Wings for All event: https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/travel/

Watch on Instagram Daniel's Instagram Reel highlight video from our ORD Wings for All event: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNbzSbVttCC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MXB1aml0eXc4aGgweQ==

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Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission: https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee

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About the Podcast Host:

Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE: https://specialchronicles.com/DanielSmrokowski

The post Wings for All: Flying with Heart – A Conversation with The Arc’s Samantha Alloway | Ep.784 first appeared on Special Chronicles.

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