Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Beyond Airports
- DFAWG seeks allies in the hidden disabilities community, including individuals living with hidden disabilities, professional service providers, care partners, and anyone else who thinks this program could help make a difference.
- DFAWG seeks allies among business and service providers who are willing to consider adopting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Are you a business or service provider who might participate? Can you recommend a business or service provider who should be contacted?
Tips For Using The Hidden Disabilities Lanyard:
- If you are feeling overwhelmed or have specific requirements, please dont hesitate to approach an Adelaide Airport team member for help or to make a request.
- Please use the assistance lane at security screening. Security team members are aware of varying disabilities and will conduct searches as efficiently and sensitively as possible. Please note that this lanyard does not provide fast track access through Security or Passport Control.
- The lanyard does not provide a personal staff escort through the airport process. If you require this level of assistance or wheelchair assistance, your airline is best placed to help you. If you havent already done so, be sure to contact your airline and make them aware of any special assistance requirements that you may have.
- The lanyard does not provide guaranteed help with your luggage. If this is something that you specifically require help with, please contact your airline to see what special assistance they are able to provide.
Adelaide Airport: Catering To The Needs Of People With Special Needs
An airport can be a busy and stressful place, especially if you are unsure what to expect on the day. It is even more stressful when you or your travel companion has a disability that is not immediately obvious to airport staff a hidden disability. Hidden Disabilities can include autism, anxiety, dementia, mental health conditions, visual impairments, deaf or hard of hearing.
We want to ensure that everyones journey through Adelaide Airport is as seamless as possible, so we have implemented a program providing a way for you to pre-plan your journey or let our staff know you may need support.
Travel Tip: If you havent already done so, be sure to contact your airline and make them aware of any special assistance requirements that you may have. If wheelchair assistance is required, your airline is best placed to help you.
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The Popular Use Of Lanyards
In recent times, airports have utilized lanyards as a discreet way of signalling that somebody has a hidden disability. Giving passengers this choice serves as a sensitive way to subtly alert airport staff to somebody who may need extra assistance.
The CAA report found that all twenty-nine airports surveyed had implemented the use of lanyards as a popular way of communicating disability.
They have been particularly well-received by security staff, who welcome the knowledge that someone may need help and the improvement in queue times.
The CAA findings highly praise Manchester and Gatwick Airports as the instigators of the lanyard approach in 2014, Manchester released specific autism wristbands, and in 2015, Gatwick collaborated with OCS and the Alzheimers Society with its special sunflower lanyard.
All of these things help everybody with a hidden disability to feel included and welcome, rather than anxious and ostracised.
As the sunflower lanyard proved to be a popular initiative, other airports quickly followed suit.
What Is A Sunflower Lanyard
Many businesses and organisations are taking part in a sunflower lanyard scheme for non-visible disabilities.
In 2016, a UK airport first introduced green lanyards with a sunflower design. The intent was to discreetly signal to staff that the wearer may need more time and support while travelling.
Now, there are supermarkets, railway stations and visitor attractions that are adopting the scheme.
Over one million lanyards have been provided to businesses, as well as directly to the general public. Sunflower wristbands, badges and T-shirts are also available.
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The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
A hidden disability that may be difficult for others to recognise or understand, but can make daily life more challenging for those who have one. A hidden disability can include:
- sensory loss, including difficulty seeing or hearing
- a physical disability that may not be obvious
- autism
- anxiety or any other mental health condition.
Wearing A Sunflower Lanyard
Not all people hidden disabilities need assistance. However, if you do, wearing a sunflower lanyard discreetly indicates to our staff that help may be needed. A sunflower lanyard encourages:
- you to ask for extra support
- you to use the lanyard to tell people about the type of assistance you need. For example, if you need some more time to understand something
- our staff to approach you and ask if there is anything you need help with
- you to let us know if you need help getting to your appointment and require a porter when you get to the hospital.
You can also complete the card that comes with the lanyard which will help others to understand your needs. If you unable to talk to one of our staff members, writing down the type of help you will need and handing it to our staff will help us to support you.
Your sunflower lanyard is yours to keep and you are most welcome to wear it every time you are in our care.
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Flying With A Stoma Bag
Passengers who have a stoma from an Ileostomy, Colostomy or Urostomy are still able to travel despite their initial concerns. With a bit of planning and preparation, people with a stoma are still able to fly and travel.
When booking your flight, it may be a good idea to book yourself an aisle seat on the plane near the toilet, as it will give you peace of mind that you can access the toilet whenever you need to. If you feel uncomfortable and uneasy about flying with a stoma bag, you may find it useful to book short-haul flights, or ones with a stopover if you need to go a further distance.
Passengers will need to make sure they take plenty of supplies for their travels, especially if going on a long-haul flight. Bupa recommends people to take double supplies what they would normally use, including disposal bags, wipes and any other care items you usually use. It is a good idea to carry these items in both your hand luggage but also checked baggage, so that they are with you on the plane and in your suitcase when you land. Bupa also recommends that people change their stoma bag immediately before boarding to limit the amount of the air in the new stoma bag. You will not be allowed scissors in your hand luggage, so it is a good idea to cut all your baseplates before you travel so you are prepared.
Lanyards Could Create A Safety Issue
People with dementia can sometimes face stigma and exploitation, which may put them at risk.
There is a danger of vulnerable adults or children becoming more identifiable when wearing a lanyard, badge or wristband. This is especially the case if unaccompanied or in public areas, which are not secure.
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Better Access To Parking
The biggest benefit is that individuals using a disabled parking permit could head to any establishment that has handicap parking without worrying that the trip will be too difficult for them. Without a permit, individuals often find that they cant go to specific stores or businesses because it can be too difficult for them to walk from the parking lot to the destination. Closer and more convenient parking means there would be an increase in access to the world around them.
Do I Qualify To Wear The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
There is no qualifying list of hidden disabilities. If you have a hidden disability and feel that you would benefit from wearing a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower product, please do. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower does not entitle you to anything other than identifying that you have a hidden disability and that you may need some assistance, help, or a little more time. It is NOT a pass to be fast-tracked nor for any other benefit.
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North Bristol Nhs Trust Is Now Proudly Participating In The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
This means that those with a hidden disability can wear a sunflower lanyard or wristband to make their disability visible to those around them while in hospital. Staff should help you with any support or adjustments you may need.
You can find lanyards and wristbands in the main receptions of the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital and of Cossham Hospital.
Hidden No More: Dementia And Disability
This 2019 report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia shines a spotlight on dementia as a disability. It seeks to enable people with dementia to assert their rights to services and for their rights as citizens to be treated fairly and equally.
Dementia is a disability, according to domestic law and international convention.
Thousands of people who responded to the All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiry agreed that they see dementia as a disability. But they told the APPG that society is lagging behind and failing to uphold the legal rights of people with dementia.
The evidence reveals that, across the country, people with dementia are not having their disability rights upheld. This report seeks to highlight the human impact that this has on people living with dementia. It focuses on themes of equality, non-discrimination, participation and inclusion.
Read the 2019 APPG report in full
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How To Get A Sunflower Lanyard
Sunflower lanyards are available to collect from both our hospitals at the Trust. You do not have to meet certain criteria to access a lanyard and we do not exclude people who have yet to be diagnosed.
Royal Brompton Hospital
- main reception at Fulham Road
- main reception at Sydney Street
- paediatric outpatients
About The Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
The scheme was developed by designers, Tabbers Limited, alongside the OCS Group UK, who provide support services to UK airports. It was first launched in 2016 at Gatwick Airport, in which more than 10,000 lanyards have been collected to date.
Now in 2019, it is being successfully introduced to several major UK airports, supermarkets, railway stations and sports venues.
Sainsburys has been the first supermarket to trial the scheme with 40 stores. Tesco is also trialling the scheme in 15 Hertfordshire stores.
In addition, they are beginning to be recognised at international airports, cinemas, shopping centres and several NHS Trusts.
You can also buy our social distancing lanyard and card to help you stay safe.
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What Is A Hidden Disability
A hidden disability is a disability that is not immediately apparent to others. Also called invisible disabilities, the term covers not only neurological conditions, but also physical and mental conditions which arent immediately obvious to onlookers. Some common hidden disabilities are dementia, autism or IBD, which will be explored later in regards to air travel.
Booking With Alternative Airlines
If you have booked, or are thinking of booking with Alternative Airlines, you can contact us to let us know about your hidden disability, and what additional needs you may require. Alternatively, if you are completing the booking process, you can add this information to the Additional Requests section on the booking reservation. We will pass this information onto the airline who will process any needs you may have.
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An Urgent Need For Improvement
In 2018, The Guardian reported that the Civil Aviation Authority found four major UK airports needed to urgently improve their treatment of disabled passengers.
Stansted, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester were all subjected to a scathing report from the aviation watchdog, with Manchester Airport being the only airport to receive a poor rating in terms of accessibility, for the second year in a row.
Everybody, whether able-bodied or disabled in any way, has the same rights to enjoy air travel, and these rights are enshrined in EU law.
The CAA consumers and markets director stated his concern: There are still too many occasions when things go wrong. Where we see examples of bad practice, we will not hesitate to hold airports to account and take the necessary enforcement action.
Since the negative report against Manchester Airport, it has stated its dedication to making improvements in order to reach acceptable standards.
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My Airport Activity Book
An activity book has been created for children traveling through Gold Coast Airport. This activity book has activities that can be completed along each step of the terminal journey. There is a I-spy for children to find different things, colouring and a find a word. Checklists are also included of some of the important things we all have to do. Children can tick off when they have completed such as check-in, security checks and boarding the plane.
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What Are Hidden Disabilities
Some disabilities dont have physical signs so we cannot always tell if someone has one. Hidden disabilities include autism, mental health, acquired/traumatic brain injury, sensory processing, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, partial sight and hearing loss.
For instance, those with autism may need some extra time and space to process what is around them. People with partial sight may need help reading signs and other information.
You can learn more on the Hidden Disabilities website.
Travelling With Passengers With Dementia
Airports can be busy and confusing at the best of times. If you have dementia then these feelings are amplified many times and the airport can become bewildering. Alzheimer’s Society produces a really useful factsheet with tips and advice about planning a holiday for people affected by dementia, including arranging travel insurance.
We are committed to making Gatwick accessible to everyone and have been rolling out Dementia Friends to our front line staff. Dementia Friends has enabled staff to understand more about dementia, so that they are able to recognise and offer more support to passengers and their travel companions.
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Flying When Blind Or Visually Impaired
Passengers who are blind or visually impaired can still use air travel, even if it is with a bit off assistance. The airline and airport should always be contacted well in advance, usually giving 48 hours notice before you are due to travel. They may be able to meet you when arriving at the airport, and guide you through the airport, helping you through steps such as check-in, security and boarding. Alternatively, airports such as Gatwick have begun trialling the AIRA app, which aids visually impaired and blind passengers independently through the airport using their smartphone.
Many airports are now silent, meaning that there will not be audible announcements for things such as boarding commencing, or gate closing. Therefore, if you have arranged airport assistance, the assistant will help communicate this to you and get you where you need to be.
At security, if your bag gets search you should always request that your bag is repacked in your specific order so that you can locate any essential items you may need to.
If you are travelling with a special assistance dog, you may wish to seek further advice about which option is the best for you, however further information on travelling with special service pets can be found here.
Usa Dot And Hidden Disabilities
The United States Department of Transportation have advised that airlines must be accommodating to the needs of passengers with both visible and invisible disabilities. The US Air Carrier Access Act has made it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. This act applies to all flights to or from or within the United States. In addition, airlines must ensure that they provide assistance to those who need it, including mobility assistance around the airport or on the plane and seating arrangements.
- Expert Support
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Sunflower Power: Boots Uk Supports Hidden Disabilities Scheme At Covid
Theres always more to a person than meets the eye. This is especially true for people with disabilities that might not be immediately visible. Autism, chronic pain, dementia, and visual or hearing impairments are just a few of the conditions, which, although not always obvious, can cause significant challenges during everyday life.
Following the rollout of 11* COVID-19 vaccinations sites in Boots stores across the UK, its dedicated pharmacy teams are helping to make the vaccination process as easy and as comfortable as possible for everyone coming into store by proudly supporting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
Helping to make the invisible, visible, the Sunflower allows people to discreetly indicate that they have a hidden disability by showing an easily recognisable Sunflower lanyard. As part of the scheme, Boots colleagues have received special training to ensure they can provide the understanding, patience, and support needed.
People with hidden disabilities could experience significant challenges during the vaccination process, ranging from anxiety and not being able to stand for long periods of time, to having limited access to toilet facilities. However, the power of the lanyards, combined with the kindness and professionalism of Boots colleagues can help support them through the process.
* List of Boots UK stores currently supporting the scheme
- Bristol Cribbs Causeway
- Liverpool New Mersey Retail Park
- Southampton West Quay