The lunch brought together community leaders, including Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim, Premier David Eby, and a special message from Prime Minister Trudeau, all celebrating the strides made in fostering equity and opportunity. Attendees were moved by heartfelt testimonials, including one from a young woman who shared her journey of being diagnosed with autism during the pandemic. After a traumatic experience, she found PAFN and received critical support that transformed her life. Her powerful story left the audience, including YVR team members, deeply inspired.

Celebrating one year of Paper Planes Cafe

The event also highlighted the successful partnership between PAFN and YVR through Paper Planes Café, which marked its first anniversary this year. Since its opening at YVR, the café has served 36,888 cups of coffee, but its impact is far greater than the numbers suggest.

As part of PAFN’s mission to provide neurodiverse individuals with opportunities, Paper Planes Café has become a hub for inclusive growth and empowerment. Together with YVR, the unique space has implemented several initiatives to break down employment barriers, including:

• Job Fair: Organized to provide accessible information about job opportunities and pathways to meaningful work.
• Café Trainee Program: Offered hands-on experience to 29 trainees, building their confidence and addressing discrimination.
• Mock Interviews: Partnered with YVR to prepare trainees for job interviews, helping them develop essential networking skills.
• YVR Career Tour: Arranged a tour with YVR and the airport’s business connections, giving trainees insight into career options and job search strategies.

These programs not only build skills but also challenge misconceptions about neurodiversity in the workplace, helping create a more inclusive and equitable future.

A message from YVR

In a video shared at the event, Tamara Vrooman, CEO of YVR, celebrated the partnership with Paper Planes Café and the incredible impact the program has had on young adults over the past year. This initiative exemplifies how businesses can play a pivotal role in driving social change.

A shared commitment to inclusion

The 2024 Annual Launch Holiday Lunch and the success of Paper Planes Café are powerful reminders of the change that’s possible when organizations and communities come together. As Paper Planes Café begins its second year, YVR remains committed to fostering inclusion, empowering neurodiverse individuals, and supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

The bustling and high-stress atmosphere of airports can be challenging for neurodiverse individuals. To address this concern, YVR, PAFN, and AIDE combined expertise to develop a video series which simulates the travel experience from the curb to cloud. These on-demand videos enable individuals to familiarize themselves with various travel processes, empowering them to approach real travel situations with confidence.

"YVR is a diverse global hub, and we remain committed to meeting the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion," said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport. "A little bit of planning ahead can make all the difference to a travel journey. Through our partnership with PAFN and AIDE Canada, YVR is proud to offer a valuable resource to neurodiverse individuals and others, enabling anyone who may feel anxious about the experience to prepare for air travel with confidence."

The three-part series, developed with the participation of key members of the airport ecosystem, covers important travel processes including check-in, security screening procedures, aircraft boarding, and clearing customs after an international trip. Designed to provide practical guidance, the interactive tool in the videos allows users to navigate typical airport scenarios, interact with personnel, and observe the outcomes of their choices, fostering self-assurance for real-life travel situations.

“We are delighted to support neurodiverse communities by introducing the wonder of travel and what they can expect through these interactive travel training videos. By seeing an Air Canada aircraft and staff in these videos, and together with our adoption and recognition of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, we hope neurodiverse people and their families can develop the confidence to take a trip soon,” said Christianna Scott, Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Air Canada

The videos, which feature neurodiverse actor Kayla Tellier are available on AIDE Canada’s website.

In addition to supporting the training video series, YVR is providing comprehensive neurodiverse inclusion training to its employees, from frontline workers such as Guest Experience and Green Coat volunteers, to staff in a range of areas, including Fire and Rescue personnel. These training programs focus on best practices for communication and support to those in the neurodiverse community, ensuring a welcoming, safe, and supportive journey for all passengers. Invitations to the training sessions, delivered by Dr. Fakhri Shafai were extended to other organizations, and many have participated, including but not limited to airport assigned RCMP, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP), and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel.

“The Canada Border Services Agency welcomes thousands of travellers to Canada each day and we understand that crossing the border can present unique challenges for neurodiverse individuals,” said CBSA Director Linell Redmond, Vancouver International Airport. “We have an important role to play in helping remove existing barriers and appreciate the opportunity to have our border services officers take part in this training through YVR, PAFN and AIDE Canada”

“CATSA endeavours to create a barrier-free security screening experience that is inclusive and respectful of all travellers,” said Jim Doucette, CATSA’s Director, Service Delivery. “Participating in this training allows screening officers to learn how to best support neurodiverse passengers through the screening process and we are grateful for this opportunity.”

PAFN Board Chair and Co-Founder Sergio Cocchia (O.B.C.) commended YVR President and CEO Tamara Vrooman for her leadership and support to impacted individuals and families. He also appreciated YVR’s ability to see the need to prepare for a travel experience from a different and innovative viewpoint. “Programs are usually geared to the neurodiverse individual learning to adapt in our community. Families spend their lives educating their neurodiverse children on how to adapt to our community, and in these new training sessions we are helping the community adapt to neurodiverse individuals. It's crucial for all airport partners to actively participate in fostering and furthering these forms of inclusivity.”

As of April 2024, 97% of YVR’s guest experience team has completed training. Sessions are ongoing and have been integrated into YVR’s onboarding curriculum for new volunteers joining our Green Coat volunteer program.

More Information about YVR’s accessibility plan is available at www.YVR.ca/accessibility

Paper Planes Café takes flight at Vancouver International Airport, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

This café is not just another coffee bar; it is a testament to our dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible travel environment. Situated in the Domestic Arrivals area on Level 2, this café represents a significant step forward in our mission to serve our people and the community. Its doors will be open for travellers from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.

The uniqueness of this coffee bar lies in its team, which is made up of individuals with a diverse range of abilities from the neurodiverse community. These individuals will be at the helm, brewing coffee, and serving quick snacks to the millions of passengers and guests who traverse YVR's terminal, as well as the thousands of employees who call the airport home.

The primary goal of Paper Planes Café is to empower its staff by providing them with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce. Through this café, YVR and PAFN will offer up to six-months of training covering essential skills and expertise typical of the restaurant and service industry. This includes barista talents, food preparation, and customer service, all of which will prepare employees for a successful career in the hospitality field. Following the training, staff will also be supported in their job search in the community.

The innovative, impactful, and important partnership between YVR and PAFN began in 2021 with a shared vision to make travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone. As part of YVR's three-year accessibility plan, we are actively working towards creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible travel experience for people of all abilities.

Paper Planes Café at YVR is not just a coffee shop; it is a beacon of hope, inclusivity, and empowerment. It is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to make travel accessible for all, regardless of ability. So, the next time you find yourself at YVR, be sure to stop by the Paper Planes Café for a coffee and a taste of what true inclusivity feels like – because every journey, whether by air or in life, should be one that all can embark upon.