About the Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group
The Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group (DFAWG) is an international collaboration of professionals, academics, and volunteers in aging and dementia services and support systems, including present and former dementia care partners, and individuals who are living with dementia. DFAWG was formed in September 2018 after learning about Brisbane Airport’s dementia-friendly airport designation.
DFAWG’s mission is to promote the definition and implementation of substantive dementia-friendly protocols in U.S. airports and airlines and the harmonization of relevant air travel regulations world-wide.
DFAWG’s goals are to emulate best practices airport and airline protocols supporting travelers with hidden disabilities. These include the following based on UK CAP1411 and CAP1629:
“Key guidelines for airports include:
DFAWG’s mission is to promote the definition and implementation of substantive dementia-friendly protocols in U.S. airports and airlines and the harmonization of relevant air travel regulations world-wide.
DFAWG’s goals are to emulate best practices airport and airline protocols supporting travelers with hidden disabilities. These include the following based on UK CAP1411 and CAP1629:
“Key guidelines for airports include:
- Airport staff, including security staff, should have hidden disability awareness training, as well as training to cover communication techniques.
- Ahead of travel, airports should provide clear and detailed information for people with hidden disabilities. This will help with overall familiarisation of the airport environment and help ease anxiety and stress. Communication should include a combination of accessible videos, photos and pictures of airport processes.
- People with hidden disabilities should have the option of wearing a lanyard, bracelet or other suitably designed aid provided by the airport to ensure they are easily identified by staff and can get the assistance they need.
- Airports should provide a quiet area to wait for flights and quiet routes through the airport, for example bypassing the retail area. This will make travelling through the airport less stressful and disorientating and will benefit those with sensory impairments in particular.
- Clear images and audio messages should be available throughout the airport to help passengers find essential points such as toilets, quiet areas and assistance points.
- People with hidden disabilities must never be separated from a parent/friend/accompanying person during a security search, and security staff must explain prior to the search what screening will take place and make any necessary adjustments.
- Airports should consider facilitating 'familiarisation visits' or open days for passengers prior to travel to help them experience the airport and aircraft environment.”
- “Introducing family or assistance security lanes, which passengers with hidden disabilities can use, which provide a less stressful and rushed experience.”
DFAWG accomplishments (keep checking for updates):
DFAWG outreach activities:
Contact:
Sara Barsel, Ph.D. c/o [email protected]
Updated 01/13/2025
- Established a Website to share dementia-related air travel resources with air travel industry staff, people living with dementia and their care partners, and dementia advocacy groups. 2019 – present
- Created, distributed, and analyzed Traveling with Dementia – Airport Stories Survey to learn about air travel experiences of people living with dementia and their travel companions. 2019
- Collated and composed Resources for Travel for people living with dementia and their travel companions covering all aspects of air travel from booking to arrival, Tools for Travel, and more.
- Created a working definition of a dementia-friendly airport
- Compiled COVID-19 air travel policies
- Developed a Best Practices document for security screening travelers with Dementia that was shared nationally with all TSA security personnel in October, 2020
- Compiled and contributed information about the international Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program resulting in adoption of the program by Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport beginning November, 2020
- Wrote Airport Sector Guide for Dementia Friendly America™ posted September, 2022
- Initiated collaborative Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care®/ DFAWG airport videos. Short videos demonstrate frequent difficult encounters between people living with dementia and airport staff (staff, volunteers, retail personnel, etc.) and offer positive resolutions. The videos were developed by the Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group and Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®, filmed in partnership with Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Created and conducted Dementia Basics for Air Travel Industry Workers, a customizable in-person training workshop for airport staff available to other airports and users. 2024
- Collaborated with Metropolitan Airports Commission Customer Experience and Technical Training teams (MSP International Airport) to develop Delivering Dementia-Friendly Customer Service, a customizable e-learning course for airport staff available to other airports and users. 2024
- Advocated for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program recognition by TSA. In October, 2024, TSA Administrator David Pekoske stated that selection of the bright yellow stripe on the epaulets of the Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) uniforms making it possible to visually identify them as PSS is a formal nod by TSA to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
DFAWG outreach activities:
- Sharing ideas, materials, and contacts with other US groups working to make their airports dementia-friendly
- Participating in global efforts to improve and harmonize air travel for people living with dementia and their care partners/travel companions
Contact:
Sara Barsel, Ph.D. c/o [email protected]
Updated 01/13/2025