Some disabilities are not immediately visible to casual observers, so Mineta San Jose International Airport has created a new way for its employees to recognize someone who might need assistance.
It’s a simple lanyard with a picture of a sunflower, and it enables airport workers “to subtly identify travelers in need of an extra level of customer service,” an airport spokesperson said.
Someone who wears the lanyard could have an invisible or less visible disability such as low vision, hearing loss, autism, anxiety disorders, dementia, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, learning disabilities or mobility issues, among other conditions.
Airport staffers who see a traveler's lanyard might be able to help them get more time to prepare at check-in, security checkpoints and boarding; find them an escort if needed; seek out a quieter section of the airport; give them more detailed instructions on airport procedures; help them read signs; and so on.
Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE weekly email alerts.
However, airport officials note that wearing a lanyard does not guarantee anyone will be fast-tracked through security or given preferential treatment, and those individuals should still request special assistance from their airline at the gate and on the aircraft.
A traveler who needs a sunflower lanyard can get one at airline check-in counters or airport information booths, or by requesting one in advance from info@sjc.org.
“We understand the challenges our customers are facing in the current travel environment, and that having a disability can often compound those challenges,” said John Aitken, the airport’s director of aviation. “The sunflower lanyard program is a perfect complement to our customer service approach, allowing our staff to meet customers’ needs in a way that is discreet and empowering for the traveler.”
Mineta San Jose developed the sunflower lanyard program with the California State Council on Developmental Disability.
Read all recent TravelSkills posts here
Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for FREE weekly email updates!
SFGATE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
