BTV implements Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program

Burlington, VT – The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is partnering with a program to increase accessibility and inclusivity for people with hidden disabilities. The airport announced Monday that it has joined hundreds of other airports in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program.

By wearing a specific lanyard with a sunflower print, passengers can alert airport staff of their disability. The program is designed to help those with disabilities that may not be obvious or outwardly apparent get the accommodations they need.

“A passenger ahead of time can go online to our website — btv.aero — and request a lanyard that has a very specific sunflower on it, so while they’re traveling it alerts everybody who they might interact with that they have a hidden disability,” said Jeff Bartley, Director of Innovation and Marketing at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. “A hidden disability can be anything from autism to POTS, dementia, maybe some struggles hearing.”

Bartley noted that many other airports around the country are joining the program to make travel more accessible, and said Burlington is no exception. He also noted the program’s implementation in areas outside of travel.

“I saw a couple of days ago, the Nashville airport, they just rolled out the program, Atlanta has rolled it out, so we’re not playing catchup, but we are involved with this program as it continues to grow,” Bartley continued. “It’s not just airports that are doing this — theaters, financial institutions, educational institutions, sports arenas.”

Bartley said the airport staff take a simple training course to recognize Sunflower program participants and understand how to provide accommodations if necessary.

The lanyard allows passengers to receive help if they need it without disclosing their disabilities or making them apparent. All passengers need to do is fill out a short form on BTV’s website, and a sunflower lanyard will be mailed to them once approved.

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