Removing Barriers
Turkish Airlines joins the Sunflower Lanyard Project
CROWDS ARE RETURNING to travel and packing flights. For those with disabilities, the boom in traffic can aggravate an already challenging environment. To better accommodate these travelers, Turkish Airlines has joined the Sunflower Lanyard Project, an initiative designed to provide assistance to people with hidden disabilities and limited mobility.
The sunflower symbol is a discreet way of signaling to airport and airline staff that a customer has a disability that is not readily apparent, and to ask wearers if they need help. The wearer is not compelled to share information, but cards can be attached that indicate what kind of assistance would be necessary.
According to a recent study from accessibility consultants Accessio, more than one in four individuals (26 percent) self-identify as having some form of disability. While a significant number of travelers cite mobility issues that require visible assistive devices such as wheelchairs or canes, Accessio’s research found that 53 percent of self-identified accessibility problems fall in the category of hidden disabilities.
For example, the study found that eight percent of participants have a visual impairment that may not be obvious, 13 percent have hearing loss, and 32 percent have neurological problems, including chronic fatigue. Other hidden disabilities include autism, anxiety disorders, food or chemical sensitivity and mental health disabilities.
“Many accessibility efforts begin and end with mobility. That’s the largest group, but still is less than half,” says Mitch Gross, a principal at Accessio. “The lanyard includes all accessibility challenges.”
Sunflower lanyards, bracelets and pins are available free of charge to passengers who need additional time, support or assistance during their travels. There are no requirements to qualify for the program. Anyone who believes they have a hidden disability can receive a lanyard and keep it for use in future travels wherever the program is recognized.
“This is a great idea,” says Accessio principal Laurent Roffé. “It’s completely in the travelers’ control, and can be used by any type of supplier in any environment. And it prompts the most important question of all: ‘How may I help you?’ Of course, success depends on training and awareness so service providers know how to respond sensitively and effectively.”
Adopting the Sunflower Lanyard Project is part of Turkish Airlines’ commitment to accessibility. “We focus on the expectations and needs of our passengers and develop projects accordingly,” says CEO Bilal Ekşi. “As the airline that flies to more countries than any other and believes every destination has gems waiting to be discovered, we will continue to develop services that will remove barriers.”