The Manchester airport has joined a global network designed to make life a little easier for people with issues that aren’t obvious to others around them.
Known as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, it is designed to give people with conditions or chronic illnesses that aren’t obvious a discreet way to let others know that they may need a little extra help, space, or time. People in the network wear a pin, lanyard or bracelet with a Sunflower logo and can carry an explanatory ID card.
“We have talked about it. … I know when we travel, we’re going to use it,” said Steve Neff, co-owner with wife Kelly of K&S Travel Crusaders, a travel agency based in Concord. He said the program is one of several developed by the travel industry for people with special needs.
“This new program will ensure that all (Manchester-Boston Regional Airport) employees and customer-facing partners provide a supportive and understanding environment for anyone with a non-visible disability,” Aviation Director Tom Malafronte said in a prepared statement.
A Sunflower lanyard or badge can be obtained at the airport information booth on the
first floor near Baggage Claim 3 of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, or near the receptionist office on the third floor of the terminal.
Airport spokeswoman Christina Lawson noted that Manchester-Boston has also is part of the Aira network, free apps that provide visual interpreting for the blind and low vision or free ASL interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers. “We will keep working hard to improve the passenger experience at MHT through initiatives like these,” she said.
Launched in the UK in 2016, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is now recognized in over 95 countries at thousands of organizations, including more than 340 airports — including Logan in Boston — and 31 airlines.
Learn more at hdsunflower.com and flymanchester.com/sunflower.
