Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Beyond Airports
The Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group (DFAWG) is advocating for nationwide adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in the US.
Are you a care partner or a person living with a hidden disability? Have you ever been in a situation where you needed/wanted a bit more patience, time, or assistance from staff or colleagues? Have you ever been unwilling or unable to make this request?
Wearing a Sunflower lanyard (or lapel pin or bracelet) is a way for someone with a hidden disability (e.g. individuals with dementia, autism spectrum, hearing deficits, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, speech difficulties, general aging-related decline, etc.) to discretely self-identify as someone who might require extra assistance, a bit of patience and/or more time from staff or colleagues. Wearing the Sunflower does not entitle anyone to special privileges.
Anyone can get a free Sunflower item from participating businesses or services. Businesses and service providers who participate in the Sunflower program donate the Sunflower lanyards to customers who request them. The employees of the participating businesses or services are trained to provide special assistance to people wearing the Sunflower.
Details about the Sunflower
Personal stories about the value of wearing the Sunflower
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower originated for use in airports, but in the UK, the Sunflower is now recognized in many sectors: transportation (all major UK airports, buses, trains), retail services, financial services, National Health Service clinics, and entertainment and sports venues such as football leagues.
As of the beginning of 2021, at least 10 major airports in the US participate in the Sunflower program. In contrast to the UK, airports are the only US sector that use this valuable program.
DFAWG is expanding its efforts from advocating for dementia-friendly airports to advocating for expanded adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in the US.
A basic premise underlying DFAWG’s efforts is the achievement of an increase in empowerment of and civility towards people living with dementia and their care partners through adoption of policies that treat these air travelers with dignity and make reasonable accommodations to facilitate their successful journeys. DFAWG also acknowledges that dementia is a hidden/invisible disability, therefore working towards dementia-friendly airports is encompassed by working towards hidden disabilities-friendly airports.
DFAWG’s efforts to achieve dementia-friendly airports have been heavily influenced by achievements in UK airports, which are subject to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance and regulations on air travel policies impacting travelers with hidden disabilities. CAA guidance is very different from US Federal Aviation Authority and Homeland Security regulations. DFAWG is striving to emulate dementia-friendly protocols without undertaking comparable legislative changes in the US. Adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in US airports is simple and does not require any legislative changes.
As DFAWG learned more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we learned that it is broadly adopted in sectors of UK society. At this point, DFAWG determined that broad sector adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in US society would become a parallel goal, alongside airport adoption.
The DFAWG, based in Minnesota, believes that making greater use of this program will increase empowerment of and civility towards people living with hidden disabilities. To this end, DFAWG has begun to identify US businesses and services that might participate in this program, and allies in the hidden disabilities communities who might assist as advocates for these requests.
What can you do?
Become an ally.
We also ask our allies to recommend a business or service provider who should be contacted about sponsorship.
Subject: Sunflower allies
Please include the following in your email:
DFAWG will collect these emails and send allies notices when there is a need for allies to support a request to a potential Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program adopter.
If you are a business or service provider interested in adopting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, DFAWG will connect you with the appropriate individuals to provide you with relevant details about adoption.
Are you a care partner or a person living with a hidden disability? Have you ever been in a situation where you needed/wanted a bit more patience, time, or assistance from staff or colleagues? Have you ever been unwilling or unable to make this request?
Wearing a Sunflower lanyard (or lapel pin or bracelet) is a way for someone with a hidden disability (e.g. individuals with dementia, autism spectrum, hearing deficits, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, speech difficulties, general aging-related decline, etc.) to discretely self-identify as someone who might require extra assistance, a bit of patience and/or more time from staff or colleagues. Wearing the Sunflower does not entitle anyone to special privileges.
Anyone can get a free Sunflower item from participating businesses or services. Businesses and service providers who participate in the Sunflower program donate the Sunflower lanyards to customers who request them. The employees of the participating businesses or services are trained to provide special assistance to people wearing the Sunflower.
Details about the Sunflower
Personal stories about the value of wearing the Sunflower
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower originated for use in airports, but in the UK, the Sunflower is now recognized in many sectors: transportation (all major UK airports, buses, trains), retail services, financial services, National Health Service clinics, and entertainment and sports venues such as football leagues.
As of the beginning of 2021, at least 10 major airports in the US participate in the Sunflower program. In contrast to the UK, airports are the only US sector that use this valuable program.
DFAWG is expanding its efforts from advocating for dementia-friendly airports to advocating for expanded adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in the US.
A basic premise underlying DFAWG’s efforts is the achievement of an increase in empowerment of and civility towards people living with dementia and their care partners through adoption of policies that treat these air travelers with dignity and make reasonable accommodations to facilitate their successful journeys. DFAWG also acknowledges that dementia is a hidden/invisible disability, therefore working towards dementia-friendly airports is encompassed by working towards hidden disabilities-friendly airports.
DFAWG’s efforts to achieve dementia-friendly airports have been heavily influenced by achievements in UK airports, which are subject to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance and regulations on air travel policies impacting travelers with hidden disabilities. CAA guidance is very different from US Federal Aviation Authority and Homeland Security regulations. DFAWG is striving to emulate dementia-friendly protocols without undertaking comparable legislative changes in the US. Adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in US airports is simple and does not require any legislative changes.
As DFAWG learned more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we learned that it is broadly adopted in sectors of UK society. At this point, DFAWG determined that broad sector adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in US society would become a parallel goal, alongside airport adoption.
The DFAWG, based in Minnesota, believes that making greater use of this program will increase empowerment of and civility towards people living with hidden disabilities. To this end, DFAWG has begun to identify US businesses and services that might participate in this program, and allies in the hidden disabilities communities who might assist as advocates for these requests.
What can you do?
Become an ally.
- 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.
We also ask our allies to recommend a business or service provider who should be contacted about sponsorship.
- 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?
Subject: Sunflower allies
Please include the following in your email:
- Identify yourself, your organization, and your location.
- State what type of support you are able to offer.
- Explain your reasons for supporting this effort, such as experiences you’ve had with hidden disabilities or what type of customers and clientele you serve.
DFAWG will collect these emails and send allies notices when there is a need for allies to support a request to a potential Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program adopter.
If you are a business or service provider interested in adopting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, DFAWG will connect you with the appropriate individuals to provide you with relevant details about adoption.
