Glasgow Airport has published guidance on its website for travellers with hidden disabilities, encouraging them to use sunflower lanyards to discreetly signal they need extra help. The airport states it works with several charities to improve staff training and support passengers requiring assistance.
How to Obtain a Sunflower Lanyard
According to Glasgow Airport, passengers can obtain a sunflower lanyard at the special assistance desk on the ground floor in the main check-in area. Staff there will explain the available support. The airport's front-line security staff have been trained to recognise these lanyards and offer special assistance during security screening.
To arrange special assistance for a hidden disability, passengers must contact their airline directly so it is added to their booking for the entire journey. This can be done through the airline's “Manage Booking” section online, by calling customer service, or by speaking to a travel agent. The airline then sends the special assistance booking to all parties, including Glasgow Airport and the destination airport, 36 hours before departure.
What is a Sunflower Lanyard?
According to Hidden Disabilities, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for individuals to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. It signals that the wearer may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
The organisation notes that not all disabilities are visible, stressing that 1 in 6 people worldwide live with a disability, affecting approximately 1.3 billion people. Disabilities can be temporary, situational, or permanent, and include neurological, cognitive, neurodevelopmental, physical, visual, auditory, sensory, processing, respiratory, and chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, and sleep disorders.
Global Reach of the Sunflower Scheme
Since its launch in 2016, organisations across a wide range of sectors have joined the global Sunflower network, including retail, travel, tourism, and transport. This includes more than 300 airports, as well as rail networks, coach and bus services, ferry operators, education providers, healthcare services, central and local government bodies, football clubs, theme parks, theatres, and financial institutions.
The Sunflower has now been launched locally in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, the UAE, and the USA. Glasgow Airport welcomes more than 7 million passengers annually, and the initiative aims to make travel more accessible for those with hidden disabilities.
