Wichita Eisenhower National Airport is proud to announce its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, a global initiative aimed at providing support and assistance to travelers with hidden disabilities.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower enables individuals to discreetly indicate that they have a non-visible disability and may need additional assistance, understanding or more time. By wearing a Sunflower lanyard, pin, wristband or retractable Sunflower ID card, a traveler can communicate their needs without disclosing their specific condition, making their journey through the airport more comfortable.
Globally 1 in 7 people live with a disability – approximately 1.3 billion people. But while some experience a disability that is visible, many have non-visible conditions. These can be physical, visual, auditory, or neurological and range from autism and ADHD to cognitive impairments such as learning difficulties and dementia, as well as mental health conditions. They can also be respiratory and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic pain and sleep disorders.
Since Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was established in the UK in 2016, it has been adopted globally by businesses and charities to support their colleagues and customers. The Sunflower is recognized across a broad range of sectors – ranging from retail, financial services, transportation, travel and tourism, education, government, as well as healthcare, emergency service and entertainment. Over 240 airports in over 30 countries, and 17 airlines worldwide participate in the program.
As part of this initiative, airport staff and partners have been trained to recognize the Sunflower symbol and provide assistance and accommodations accordingly. Passengers with hidden disabilities can request a free Sunflower item at the Airport’s Information Desk, airline ticket counters, and security screening checkpoint.
For more information on accessibility services at ICT, visit Airport’s Accessibility webpage.
