Interview (Autistic Adult - Travel experience)

Participant: Female, 25–34

Question

What does independence mean to you?

Participant

“Being able to have freedom over what I do, where I might go and when I do things.”

Reflection

Again, independence is linked to freedom and control. This suggests that accessibility should increase choice rather than simply provide assistance.

Question

Can you tell me about an international trip you have taken? Were there any parts of planning or travelling that you found particularly difficult?

Participant

“When I last went to Annecy in France, the most difficult part of travelling was figuring out the local travel routes.”

Reflection

This identifies navigating unfamiliar transport systems as a barrier and expands the project beyond the airport into the journey between the airport and destination.

Question

Have any barriers affected your confidence, independence, or willingness to travel internationally?

Participant

“I feel unsafe travelling by myself and I like being able to divide up organising different parts of travel amongst people so I can feel more in control of what I'm organising. My ADHD makes it difficult for me to remember too many things so having only a couple things to manage is better for me.”

Reflection

This introduces the idea of cognitive load. Sharing tasks makes the journey more manageable because the participant does not need to remember and manage everything simultaneously.

This also shows the importance of recognising overlapping neurodivergence rather than assuming autism operates independently from other needs.

Question

What have been the biggest challenges you've experienced while travelling internationally?

Participant

“Figuring out local travel routes and figuring out times to travel to and from the airport.”

Reflection

Route planning and timing are repeated concerns, strengthening the importance of clear whole-journey information.

Question

If you could change one thing about international travel to make it better for autistic adults, what would it be and why?

Participant

“Having guides available of local areas that are autism friendly.”

Reflection

This suggests that accessible information could continue into the destination itself, helping travellers identify environments that may be more appropriate for their needs.

Question

What has helped make travelling easier or more enjoyable for you?

Participant

“Being able to use maps on my phone to plan my journeys in advance.”

Reflection

The participant already uses digital mapping as a predictability and preparation tool. This provides useful evidence that digital navigation can support greater confidence.

Question

Imagine there were no limitations on cost or technology. If you could introduce one new service, system or support to improve independent international travel for autistic adults, what would it be and why?

Participant

“An autism friendly travel guide you could listen to which sums up the place your'e going to, how to be polite in that area and recommended places and times to visit landmarks so they won't be too busy.”

Reflection

This is particularly interesting because it combines audio information, cultural preparation and crowd avoidance. The participant wants help understanding not only where to go, but also how unfamiliar places and social expectations work.

Question

Which parts of the airport journey do you find most difficult, and what information or support would make them easier?

Participant

“Figuring out where things are can be quite tricky.”

Reflection

This directly reinforces wayfinding and navigation as an airport barrier.

Question

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences of international travel?

Participant

“It needs to be better for autistic people, specific seats for autistic people near the bathrooms.”

Reflection

This introduces another physical-design consideration: control over seating and proximity to facilities. Accessibility therefore involves the built environment as well as digital information.

Overall Reflection

The strongest themes within this interview are navigation, cognitive load, advance planning and cultural preparation. It also suggests that a useful travel system might connect the airport journey with the unfamiliar destination beyond it.