Inclusive Airport Travel Now in Canada

Travel that's accessible to everyone!

Sunflower Lanyard Program

Sunflower Program in Canadian

In Canada, 21 International and Regional Airports fully recognize the Sunflower program and improving inclusive airport travel now in Canada. This means they train staff on what the lanyard means and who wears one, and they offer the lanyards free of charge. At many airports, you can go to any information or help kiosks and ask for a lanyard; you do not have to prove your disability to them, so the program runs on the trust system. Airport lanyards usually have the airport code they received them at on them as well, so if you wanted to get a plain lanyard, you would have to order online. 

Lanyard program in action

Wearing a lanyard has no guarantee of jumping the line or assistance. Still, many airports go above and beyond to ensure you are comfortable in line or throughout the airport. For me, the most stressful and anxiety-filled time is security and customs. While learning customs in Seatle, they escorted my Mom and me right through the line, having a separate line for wheelchairs and the Sunflower program; you can see the sunflower icon similar to where you will see a wheelchair access sign. In Calgary, we had a TSA agent help us know where to go once we were cleared by security, walking us to the train to ensure we got on the right train for the gate we needed. The lanyards are described as a "disability identifier," so you do not need to remove them at security; the agents will show you how to hold it while in the scanner and review the lanyard once clear. 

Wearing a Sunflower in an Airport that is not part of the program

With 21 airports in Canada and nearly 50 in the USA recognizing the Sunflower program and many more "coming soon" to the program, you have a good chance of traveling through an airport that is on the list. But there is always a chance you will come across an airport, like I did, that is not part of the program (like Kelowna, which is listed as a "coming soon"). However, the Sunflower is becoming such an Internationally well-known program and symbol that many people still know what the lanyard means. We still had agents assisting us and were able to educate others on what the lanyard was, primarily through security, when I told them I wanted to keep it on.  Even better, there are 18 airlines that train their employees, stewardesses, and pilots on the sunflower lanyard, one of which is Air Canada, so even when in an airport that does not participate currently in the program, you can still find people who know the program and symbol!

Sunflower in tourism

The really exciting thing about the Sunflower program is that it is starting to be recognized at events and tourism opportunities around Canada and the world, creating more accessible and welcoming tourism for people with invisible disabilities. There are now whole hotel chains that are working towards recognizing the program and events such as concerts. Eventually, I want to see this program implemented everywhere, but it is such a breath of fresh air to have the opportunity for inclusive Airport Travel now in Canada.

Photo credits: Samantha Sewell

Inclusive Airport Travel Now in Canada

Not all disabilities are visual