Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is teaming up on a training exercise with a local organization that advocates for autism awareness. 

The annual simulation is called Wings for Autism. It gives families who have children with autism a chance to practice navigating an airport without the pressure of missing a flight. It also helps airport employees learn how to work with passengers with unique needs.

Jon Meyers is executive director of The Arc of Arizona, which advocates for those with developmental disabilities.

“We do follow-up evaluations with families and we know that better than 30 percent of the families who have taken part in our programs have been able to take a trip within the 12 months after Wings for Autism event and overwhelmingly they have been able to do it successfully.”

Wings for Autism will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Terminal 4. Meyers expects 1,300 children and family members to take part.