Nelson Airport adopts the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower!
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has arrived at Nelson Airport, ensuring anyone travelling with a hidden disability can discreetly signal their need for extra assistance or care.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a program to assist those with disabilities that are not immediately obvious, such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, low vision or hearing loss. The program aims to make the invisible visible, by providing a symbol for people to wear that signals their need for additional support, help or a little more time.
From today, sunflower lanyards will be available at the Nelson Airport Customer Service desk for anyone to request. Airport staff have undergone awareness training to recognise the sunflower, understand some of the difficulties those wearing it may be facing, and how best to approach and support customers with a hidden disability. Nelson Airport is joining a strong sunflower community within the NZ aviation sector, with other participants including Air New Zealand and airports including Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Wellington.
Mike Jukes, Customer Service Manager, Nelson Airport says:
The airport is a space where everyone should feel welcome and supported. Ensuring the sunflower is available and acknowledged is an important part of ensuring the experience every person has here is a great one, and we’re very pleased to be joining the global community of Hidden Sunflower supporters.
Nelson Airport is proud to join a growing Sunflower community within New Zealand's aviation sector, alongside members such as Air New Zealand and other airports, including Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Learn more about the Sunflower at Nelson Airport.