The summer holiday season is here and some people may need more help
Aberdeen Airport has issued a message on its website to travellers set to jet off on holiday.
Talking about hidden disabilities, Aberdeen Airport explains that it understands the stress flying and travelling can cause. It urges people to request assistance and notes that its teams are trained to help those with hidden disabilities.
It states that early notification is encouraged so they can be fully prepared to provide the appropriate assistance. You should first request assistance through your airline or travel agent and ensure your booking is marked as DPNA assistance when asked what type of help you require.
“You should also ask the airline or travel agent to add a comment describing the assistance required. This will enable us to better understand how we can help”, it adds.
Lanyards
Passengers with a hidden disability can request a Sunflower lanyard or card, which discreetly alerts airport staff that additional support may be needed. These can be requested at the airport.
It explains: “If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, we will be happy to provide you with a Sunflower lanyard (and/or card) which will discreetly identify you to airport staff as requiring additional support.
“Our front line teams, including our Security Officers, have been trained to recognise these lanyards and cards and offer assistance where required. A Sunflower lanyard/card can be requested in advance by contacting the Duty Manager team at abzadm@aiairport.com or at the airport itself from the Assistance desk.”
You can contact prmaberdeen@abm.com via email to get in touch with the assistance provider at Aberdeen International Airport in advance of your date of travel.
It says that it can provide support to people with hidden disabilities, including:
- Autism
- Dementia
- Hearing Loss
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health impairments, anxiety issues etc.
It adds: “We are working in partnership with the relevant local and national organisations to ensure that the service we provide is both appropriate and beneficial.”
What is a Sunflower lanyard?
According to Hidden Disabilities: “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.”
Keen to show that not all disabilities are visible, it stresses that one in six people around the world live with a disability. This means approximately 1.3 billion people are affected.
It adds: “While some of us experience a disability that is visible, many have a non-apparent condition or experience a combination of both visible and non-apparent conditions. These disabilities can be temporary, situational or permanent.
“They can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual, auditory and include sensory and processing difficulties. They can also be respiratory as well as chronic health conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, chronic pain and sleep disorders.”
Since its launch in 2016, organisations across a wide range of sectors have joined the global Sunflower network, including retail, travel and tourism, and transport.
This includes more than 300 airports, as well as rail networks, coach and bus services, and ferry operators. It also spans education providers (universities, schools and colleges), 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. Find out where it is known near you using our Sunflower map.
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