Beginning this month, passengers boarding Swiss International Air Lines flights in Zürich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA) have the option of wearing a discreet sunflower lanyard that identifies them as having a non-visible disability. This is especially good news for families traveling with autistic children.
The Sunflower lanyard will enable SWISS personnel and other airport staff to discreetly identify the wearer as having a hidden disability and give them the appropriate understanding and any additional support they may need.
Millions of people around the world live with disabilities such as autism, ADHD, epilepsy or dementia, and can find travel especially challenging. These sunflowers discreetly alert flight staff and airport personnel to special needs without the passengers or their parents having to explain repeatedly that they may need more time, help or understanding in stressful situations.
Sunflowers are especially helpful for parents of autistic children, whose behavior can be erratic under the stress of travel and new experiences. Flight staff will immediately recognize these children need extra patience and attention.
The Sunflower lanyards do not entitle wearers to any priority or preferential treatment at check-in, security or boarding, but should ensure wearers enjoy the awareness, respect and empathy of staff and others during their airport stay and flight.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is already active in several other countries and continues to gain importance worldwide. At Zurich Airport, travelers can pick up Sunflower lanyards at PRM (passengers with reduced mobility) pick-up points, from the Arrival 2 information desk or from the supervisors’ desks in the transit zone and Check-in 1. At Geneva Airport they will be available at the GVassistance Lounge in Terminal 1.
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