Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) has joined Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to help people with hidden disabilities discreetly inform others – through the use of a Sunflower printed lanyard (or another Sunflower-branded worn item) – that they have a disability that may not be readily apparent. The Sunflower indicates to anyone approaching – especially those in customer service roles – a person wearing one of these items that the person may need more assistance and that their patience is appreciated.
“There are many travelers who have disabilities that aren’t immediately visible but still create challenges in their daily lives,” said Phil Burke, Assistant Director, Customer Experience for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP. “Without revealing the nature of the disability, the sunflower lanyard is a simple way to signal to airport staff that someone may need more help, more time or more patience through certain travel processes at the airport.”
How it works is simple. Travelers can ask for a lanyard, plastic card, sleeve, MSP Sunflower information brochure, TSA Cares & Navigating cards – all put in a sealed plastic bag. They are availble at the MSP information booths and can mail them out.. Anyone who feels they have a hidden disability can request one. There are no prerequisites for asking for or wearing an item. When someone working at the airport sees someone wearing a Sunflower-branded item, they will then know that this person may need extra assistance/patience.
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