CARES Special Needs Child Aviation Restraint System — FAA & CASA Approved

Flying with a Special Needs Child Just Got Safer — The Only FAA & CASA-Approved Aviation Harness Designed for Kids Who Need Extra Support

Travelling by air with a child who has a physical, developmental, or sensory disability can feel overwhelming — especially when standard airline seatbelts simply don't provide the support your child needs.

The CARES Child Aviation Restraint System (Special Needs), manufactured by AmSafe Aviation — the company whose seatbelts protect passengers on virtually every commercial aircraft in the world — is the only FAA-certified harness-type child restraint system accepted by aviation authorities globally, including CASA (Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority), for children who require additional upper body support during flight.

CARES has been used successfully by many children with special needs. Parents should check with their physician or physical therapist to determine whether CARES provides sufficient upper body support for their child.

Travel Gear Australia is a trusted Australian retailer of genuine, brand-new AmSafe CARES units — the same product sold directly by the manufacturer at KidsFlySafe.com.

Official Installation Video — See Exactly How It Works

From AmSafe, the manufacturer — installs in under 60 seconds:

Who Is the CARES Special Needs Harness For?

CARES is used by families flying with children who have a range of physical and developmental conditions where additional upper body support or postural stability is needed during flight, including:

• Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
• Cerebral palsy (mild to moderate)
• Developmental delays affecting trunk control
• Autism spectrum disorder (where structured restraint aids comfort and safety)
• Sensory processing differences where the lap belt alone causes distress
• Children recovering from surgery or injury requiring stabilisation
• Larger special needs children 20–34kg (44–75 lbs) travelling under an FAA Exemption Letter

Important: Always consult your child's paediatrician, physician, or occupational/physical therapist before using CARES to confirm it provides sufficient support for your child's specific needs.

Key Features for Special Needs Families

• Upper Body Support Standard Seatbelts Can't Provide
  CARES adds a harness system over the shoulders that works together with the aircraft lap belt, providing the front-to-back and lateral stability that children with trunk weakness, low muscle tone, or postural challenges need during turbulence, take-off, and landing.
• FAA Certified — The Only Harness-Type Device with This Approval
  The FAA approval label is printed directly on the harness webbing. Show it to any airline crew if asked — no separate paperwork required for retail customers.
• Predictable, Familiar Structure — Important for Sensory Needs
  Many parents of autistic children find that CARES provides a structured, contained feel that is better tolerated than a standard lap belt alone. The shoulder straps provide clear physical boundaries which some children find reassuring during a flight.
• Under 500g — No Extra Baggage
  Packs into a 15cm stuff sack. Flying with a special needs child means managing a lot already — CARES adds nothing meaningful to your carry-on weight.
• FAA Exemption Available for Larger Special Needs Children (20–34kg)
  If your child exceeds the standard 20kg (44 lb) weight limit but is no taller than 148cm (58 inches), you may apply for an FAA Exemption Letter allowing continued use of CARES. See the FAQ below for details.

Australian Regulatory Approval — What Special Needs Families Need to Know

CARES is accepted for use on Australian and international flights under CASA's child restraint framework. The FAA certification label on your harness is the recognised proof of approval on Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and major international carriers.

No airline may prohibit a child from using an approved child restraint system (CRS) when a seat has been purchased for the child. If the approved CRS does not fit in a particular seat, it is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to accommodate the CRS in another seat in the same class of service.

For special needs children exceeding the standard weight range, several companies manufacture restraint systems for adults with physical challenges, and adults (18 years or older) who have physical challenges that require the support and security of a CRS or device in order to travel safely on an airplane may request an exemption to the FAA's regulations.

Sources: FAA Kids Corner — Official Child Restraint Guidelines | AmSafe KidsFlySafe.com

FAA Exemption Letter — For Children 20–34kg (44–75 lbs)

If your special needs child has outgrown the standard 20kg (44 lb) CARES weight limit but still needs the upper body support CARES provides, you can request an Exemption Letter from the FAA so you can use it. Larger special needs youngsters who are granted this exemption will be seated in the last row of a section of the plane, so no one sits behind the child.

Key exemption facts:

• Applies to children 20–34kg (44–75 lbs) and no taller than 148cm (58 inches)
• Must be recommended by your child's physician or therapist
• Once received, the Exemption Letter is good on any airline based in the United States, and for an unlimited period of time
• Your child must be seated in a row with no passengers directly behind them
• Allow up to 6 weeks to receive — apply well before your travel date
• Contact the FAA directly via the KidsFlySafe.com website to request your exemption

Is My CARES Harness Genuine? How to Prove It to Airline Staff

The FAA has warned consumers about counterfeit CARES harnesses — particularly on third-party eBay and Amazon listings. These fakes are not engineered to aviation safety standards and will not pass inspection by airline crew. All CARES units sold by Travel Gear Australia are genuine AmSafe products.

To verify authenticity on the spot: Show the airline crew the label printed directly on the harness webbing reading:
"FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only"
This is legally sufficient proof. No 8130 tag or separate certificate is required for retail customers.

What's in the Box

• 1 × Genuine AmSafe CARES Child Aviation Restraint System
• 1 × Compact 15cm stuff sack
• Printed installation instructions

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions — CARES Special Needs Australia

Q: My child has autism — will they tolerate the CARES harness?
A: Many parents of autistic children report positive experiences with CARES, as the structured shoulder harness provides clear physical boundaries that some children find more predictable and comfortable than a loose lap belt. However, every child is different. We recommend practising with the harness at home before your flight to allow your child to familiarise themselves with the fit and sensation.

Q: Do I need a doctor's letter to use CARES on an Australian flight?
A: For children within the standard weight range (10–20kg), no medical documentation is required — the FAA approval label on the harness is sufficient. A physician's recommendation is only required if you are applying for an FAA Exemption Letter for a child over 20kg.

Q: My child is over 20kg but still needs upper body support. Can they still use CARES?
A: Yes — with an FAA Exemption Letter. Children up to 34kg (75 lbs) and no taller than 148cm (58 inches) may use CARES under this exemption, provided they are seated in a row with no passengers behind them. Contact AmSafe via KidsFlySafe.com to begin the exemption application. Allow up to 6 weeks.

Q: Will Qantas or Virgin Australia allow CARES for my special needs child?
A: Yes. Both airlines accept CARES for children within the approved weight and height range. We recommend notifying the airline in advance that your child has a disability and will be travelling with an approved child restraint system, as this helps ensure appropriate seating is allocated.

Q: Is CARES suitable for a child with cerebral palsy?
A: CARES has been used by many families of children with cerebral palsy, particularly for mild-to-moderate presentations where the child can sit upright independently. AmSafe directly advises consulting your child's physician or physical therapist to confirm CARES provides sufficient upper body support for your child's specific level of function before travel.

Q: How do I prove to the airline that our CARES is genuine, not a fake?
A: Show the crew the label on the harness webbing: "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only." This is the only documentation required. All units from Travel Gear Australia are genuine AmSafe products.

Q: Can CARES be used in a wheelchair-accessible aircraft seat?
A: CARES is designed for standard forward-facing aircraft seats. If your child uses a wheelchair and transfers to the aircraft seat, CARES can typically be used provided the seat is a standard forward-facing design. Confirm with your airline in advance.

Q: Is CARES covered by NDIS for travel purposes?
A: NDIS funding eligibility for travel equipment is assessed individually by your plan manager or support coordinator. CARES may be claimable under certain support categories as a travel-related assistive technology. We recommend discussing with your NDIS planner before purchasing.