In October of 2019, Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) became the first airport in North America to begin the use of sunflower lanyards to help those with hidden disabilities and their families indicate their possible need for extra assistance or time as they navigate the busy airport. Hidden or invisible disabilities range from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia and lupus to traumatic brain injuries, autism, dementia, anxiety, PTSD and impaired vision and hearing.

The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme was first introduced at Gatwick Airport in 2016, and since then nine other U.K. airports also implemented it. Airport personnel are trained to recognize the lanyards and be prepared to offer additional support. Gatwick alone has handed out more than 100,000 of the green lanyards sprinkled with images of bright yellow sunflowers over the ensuing years, and the concept has now spread to some rail systems, hospitals, events and attractions, and supermarkets and retailers. Manchester Airport has also added what it calls the Sunflower Room, a quiet place set apart from the noise and crowds of the terminal.

Sea-Tac’s stated goal is to go beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and become the most accessible airport in the United States. The introduction of the sunflower lanyards is a major component of that initiative, allowing those sporting them to gain assistance such as having more time to prepare for security and boarding, staying with family members at all times, and getting clear instructions to follow and detailed explanations of what to expect. Staff can provide assistance in reading departure boards or signs as well. Lanyards are available upon request at customer service desks throughout the airport, and the airport’s Pathfinders, helpers wearing teal shirts, can also hand them out. There is no charge or fee, and the lanyards may be kept and used over and over again.

Sea-Tac offers a host of other programs and assistance to make navigating its terminals easier for all:

• Advanced preparation: a “rehearsal” for airport travel to reduce anxiety and eliminate the fear of the unknown for first-time travelers
• Therapy dogs provided by Pet Partners’ trained volunteers to help reduce stress for travelers
• Meditation/Quiet Room
• Auditory assistance: Available from airline customer service representatives, at gates and baggage claim, the hearing loop device improves the quality of sound for those with certain hearing aids and cochlear implants.
• Pathfinders carry tablets which facilitate real-time translation services for multiple languages (including sign language) with a live person.
• Vision assistance in partnership with Aira, allowing those who are blind or with low vision to navigate the airport by connecting them with live agents via a mobile app and assistive smart glasses
• An updated Sea-Tac Airport App in 2020 will offer new accessibility wayfinding.

It’s heartening to see the many ways in which everything from advanced technology to a simple cloth lanyard can improve the travel experiences of those with hidden disabilities. I would hope many more airports and the travel industry as a whole would institute these kinds of programs to improve the quality of travel for all.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor