[NFBNJ] Airport Traveler’s: Sunflower Lanyard Program

[Linda Melendez]

The Sunflower Lanyard Program

The Port Authority of NY & NJ (PANY/NJ) has launched a program that will be
of  interest to all  traveling from t Newark Airport (EWR),  John F.
Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia Airports (LGA).

(From Attached Flier)

Assisting adults and children with hidden disabilities

Not all disabilities are visible - some are not immediately obvious, such
as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment.
Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more challenging for
many people, but it can also be difficult for others to recognize,
acknowledge or understand the challenges those with hidden disabilities
face.

The Hidden Disabilities Lanyard makes one with a disability visible

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to airport
and airline staff that those wearing the lanyard may need additional
support, help or a little more time.

How can wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at the Airport benefit
people with disabilities?

Airline and security staff as well as staff in airport shops and
restaurants may offer those wearing a lanyard additional support as they
travel through the airport.

Persons with disabilities can use the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard
to start a conversation with airport staff about the additional help that
is needed.

This new program  will improve the experience for passengers traveling with
disabilities that are considered hidden or not immediately obvious to
others. Navigating  airports can be overwhelming and providing reasonable
accommodations for persons with a hidden disability and their families is
an important part of ensuring a world-class experience  for the PANY/NJ.

Airports throughout the world have adopted similar programs, and have
increased both the airport employee and passenger’s awareness of persons
with a hidden disability. This approach will facilitate a more positive
interaction between passengers, employees, and persons with the hidden
disability, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Airport employees will not know a passenger’s specific disability unless a
passenger self-declares it, and no additional verification of a specific
disability is required.

Sunflower Lanyards are available to customers at each terminal’s Welcome
Center at no cost.   More information on the program can be found on each
airport’s website. (www.NewarkAirport.com
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http*3A*2F*2Fwww.newarkairport.com*2F&data=04*7C01*7Clbellafiore*40panynj.gov*7C7890fa294b144f5c6ae008d9d1f3c987*7Cc4484a25d0d84ad0916aa889b6aa7a02*7C0*7C0*7C637771667264766170*7CUnknown*7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0*3D*7C3000&sdata=DeeS8*2B7MehMTAONt7U1cObjWBJFlQaOgBTKxily7*2Bwo*3D&reserved=0__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJQ!!J30X0ZrnC1oQtbA!IbAUInGTDc-bcGWaV6UA0V_F7WwEmsrLQvqc6dCTsckeczods4VaOWKi5eLcnjckWYcp87cm_PoSeE-sYY-KGqby_Tve4zc$>
www.LaGuardiaAirport.com
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http*3A*2F*2Fwww.laguardiaairport.com*2F&data=04*7C01*7Clbellafiore*40panynj.gov*7C7890fa294b144f5c6ae008d9d1f3c987*7Cc4484a25d0d84ad0916aa889b6aa7a02*7C0*7C0*7C637771667264776125*7CUnknown*7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0*3D*7C3000&sdata=rllcM4*2Bd0Q1Mk2pv69MB98yhrKkxkiXgGtM1d5PGRbQ*3D&reserved=0__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUl!!J30X0ZrnC1oQtbA!IbAUInGTDc-bcGWaV6UA0V_F7WwEmsrLQvqc6dCTsckeczods4VaOWKi5eLcnjckWYcp87cm_PoSeE-sYY-KGqbyW-Mbvo8$>
www.JFKAirport.com
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http*3A*2F*2Fwww.jfkairport.com*2F&data=04*7C01*7Clbellafiore*40panynj.gov*7C7890fa294b144f5c6ae008d9d1f3c987*7Cc4484a25d0d84ad0916aa889b6aa7a02*7C0*7C0*7C637771667264776125*7CUnknown*7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0*3D*7C3000&sdata=zNHRTiKi0apDtpgqnfvvtlY11CpIlWLPdQH3ccUaTl8*3D&reserved=0__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSU!!J30X0ZrnC1oQtbA!IbAUInGTDc-bcGWaV6UA0V_F7WwEmsrLQvqc6dCTsckeczods4VaOWKi5eLcnjckWYcp87cm_PoSeE-sYY-KGqbynSCCSBY$>
)

The program is voluntary for anyone who self-identifies as having a hidden
disability or is traveling with someone who has a hidden disability.
Please note that wearing a lanyard DOES NOT guarantee fast-tracking through
security or any preferential treatment. Passengers that need that
additional levels of assistance (i.e. wheelchair and escort) are required
to make that arrangement with their airlines.

The PANY/NJ has asked our assistance with spreading the word about this
program.   Please share the attached flyer with your consumers, contacts
and anyone  that you feel would benefit from knowing about this program.

Photo of a green lanyard, with yellow sunflowers. It has a plastic I.D.
holder clipped on the end.

-- 

Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
president at nfbnj.org
www.nfbnj.org
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238
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