Interview (Autistic Adult - Travel experience)
Participant: Female, 25–34
What does independence mean to you?
“To have the ability to do, go and see whatever I choose, relying solely on myself for decisions, funding etc.”
Independence here is strongly connected to freedom, choice and self-reliance. Financial independence is also mentioned, showing that access to travel is affected by more than the physical journey itself.
Can you tell me about an international trip you have taken? Were there any parts of planning or travelling that you found particularly difficult?
“I hated planning and had anxiety around travel days and would constantly check train times etc and plan ahead travel wise despite the fact planning overwhelmed me.”
This reveals an interesting contradiction: planning reduces uncertainty, but the amount of planning required can itself become overwhelming. This could be important when considering whether design could simplify preparation rather than simply providing more information.
Have any barriers affected your confidence, independence, or willingness to travel internationally?