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Can you spot a person with a hidden disability? Look for the Sunflower Lanyard

Sunflower lanyard logoThe Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) – the government agency that owns and operates MSP Airport – has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organization to bring its Sunflower Lanyard program to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. And we need your help!

This organization helps people with hidden disabilities discreetly inform others – through the use of a Sunflower lanyard (or other Sunflower-branded worn item) – that they have a disability that may not be readily apparent.

The lanyard indicates to anyone – especially people who are in customer service roles (like you) – approaching a person wearing one of these items that the person may need more assistance and that their patience is appreciated.

How does the program work?
Through internal and external promotion of the program and outreach to disability advocates and organizations, the MAC will ensure employees and travelers know about the program and understand their role in making it successful.

The program is simple.  A traveler simply asks for a lanyard (or other Sunflower-branded item) at one of the locations listed below and then wears that item when they want others to know they have a hidden disability. When employees interact with people wearing one of these items, they know the traveler may need extra assistance or patience during their encounter.

Anyone who feels they have a hidden disability can request one. There are no prerequisites for asking for or wearing an item. And wearing an item is, of course, voluntary.

The Sunflower-branded items can be found here:

Terminal 1 Information Booths

  1. Travelers Assistance office (entrance to Concourse D)

  2. Level T

  3. Departures (Ticketing)

Terminal 2 Information Booth

  1. Ground Transportation Center

This program can only be successful with your participation!
Learn more about the program by watching this
45-second short video and/or downloading this information sheet. Both explain what a hidden disability is and how the program works.

Thank you for your continued commitment to making MSP Airport an accessible and welcoming place for all our travelers. If you have any questions about the program, contact Shelly Lopez, customer experience coordinator for the MAC, at shelly.lopez@mspmac.org.