Tom Jobim International Airport becomes the first airport in Brazil to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Tom Jobim International Airport (RIOgaleão) has joined the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. The terminal is the first in Brazil to participate in the program, which is present in over 29 countries and 201 airports worldwide.
Once identified with the Sunflower lanyard, individuals with hidden disabilities will receive appropriate assistance from the terminal's staff, in locations that are part of the HD Sunflower network.
By December 2023, all RIOgaleão employees are expected to undergo training in the program. The goal is for all members of the airport community to be trained by the end of 2024.
"To further improve the experience of our users, we want to raise awareness and properly educate our team and everyone working at the airport on how to accommodate these individuals. We believe that the program allows us to better serve our customers at key points, including security screening and customs processing," explained Antonio Noronha, Terminal and Maintenance Manager at RIOgaleão.
HD Sunflower makes its presence felt in major Brazilian media outlets
O Globo Newspaper
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Brazil - HD Sunflower has achieved significant recognition in national and regional media, gaining visibility in outlets such as TV Record, Jornal O Globo, Revista Vida Simples, Diário do Rio, and Diário do PCD. The organization's presence in these media outlets highlights its commitment to raising awareness about hidden disabilities and the importance of the Sunflower symbol. This extensive media coverage reflects the positive impact and relevance of the work carried out by HD Sunflower in its pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Record TV
Sugar Loaf
One of Brazil's biggest tourist attractions is the newest supporter of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
The Park Bondinho Pão de Açúcar and HD Sunflower are joining forces to promote and disseminate the inclusion of people with hidden disabilities, which affects millions of people in Brazil. The partnership is marked by the distribution of Sunflower lanyards, symbols of invisible disabilities, so that visitors with any condition and their families can have an even more inclusive and unforgettable experience in the Park.
HD Sunflower Brazil at Schizophrenia Awareness Week
On May 24, several countries celebrate Schizophrenia Awareness Day, a day dedicated to providing quality information about the illness to society, with the aim of increasing understanding and combating the stigma often fuelled by false beliefs about the disease.
For the first time in Brazil, some centers dedicated to the treatment and research of Schizophrenia organized community events to mark the week. And HD Sunflower Brazil was present at the event that took place on May 27 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In attendance was the Regional Director for Latin America, Flávia Callafange, who distributed the Sunflower lanyard to the audience attending the event.
Amusement park in Brazil promotes inclusion and accessibility with the support of the Sunflower lanyard
With over 20 educational and interactive attractions, Parque da Mônica, in addition to having a trained team to assist people with disabilities and their families, offers the following inclusion initiatives:
Priority service and access to attractions
People with disabilities and their companions receive priority service at the attractions and do not need to wait in lines to play. Upon arriving at each attraction, they simply need to present the safety orientation map received at the Visitor Service Center (VSC), which indicates the recommended attractions for each type of disability.
Sunflower lanyard
Provided free of charge, the accessory indicates that the visitor has a hidden disability, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and social phobias.
Loan of noise-canceling headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are provided free of charge for individuals with autism and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The accessory can be obtained at the Visitor Service Center (VSC) and must be returned to the same location after use.
Quiet time
Every day, during the first operating hour of the park, there is a reduction in sound and visual stimuli, allowing autistic visitors and those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) to acclimatise and better enjoy their visit.
Adapted infrastructure
Parque da Mônica has adapted restrooms, priority seating, and access ramps to facilitate movement and improve the experience for visitors with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Silence room
As the park offers a range of sensory stimuli, the silence room serves as a welcoming space that provides a low-stimulus environment for individuals with ASD, intellectual disabilities, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) to rest.
Visitor Service Center (VSC)
At the VSC, a brief analysis of the visitor is conducted, taking into consideration physical aspects, motor conditions, medication use, among other factors. Afterwards, the visitor receives the safety orientation map, which indicates all the attractions recommended for their profile.