HEBRON, Ky. — Not all disabilities or conditions are noticeable and it’s what Hidden Disabilities are working to bring awareness to. The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is now taking part in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program.

What You Need To Know

  • The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is taking part in the Sunflower Lanyard Program

  •  The program aims to shine a light on travelers with hidden disabilities 

  •  More than 200 airports participate in the program 

  • The lanyard is a visible signal that individuals may need a little more assistance

Travel isn’t necessarily easily, it takes a lot of patience these days. Having to navigate a flight’s status, security checks and making it to the correct gate can cause sensory overload for some travelers.

Senior manager of customer relations, Wendi Orlando said they don’t want any of that to spoil a traveler’s experience. To create an inclusive travel experience for those with hidden disabilities is why the airport wanted to get involved with the Sunflower Lanyard Program.

Orlando said, “It helps to disclose that they have a hidden disability, that they’re wanting people to know and that they’re asking for a little bit of patience and possibly some extra assistance.”

CVG is one of 216 airports taking part in the lanyard initiative.

The lanyards also help Transportation Security Administration officers do their jobs more efficiently. TSA supervisor James Verhiley says seeing the sunflower lanyards means their officers can provide better service.

He said, “We understand that they have a hidden disability. We don’t ask them about their disability, but we may ask them if they need some assistance, if they need additional help, if they have any questions, any concerns we can answer those and help them along with the screening process.”

Verhiley has been with TSA for 12 years and says he enjoys seeing airports take part in initiatives like the sunflower program so all travelers can have better experiences.

“It’s comforting knowing that we are helping individuals that may have a disability or a hidden disability that we’re not able to see and help them throughout the screening process and help ease that stress that they may have through the process.”

Orlando hopes if travelers see the sunflower lanyards, they will remember to practice kindness.

She said, “If you happen to see them standing in line, or get a little anxious or stressed—it’s really okay. They’ve got this! And they just want you to know that they’ll be fine. They just need a little bit of patience.”

If you know someone interested in the program and getting a lanyard, they just need to go to CVG or they can also mail a lanyard.

The Sunflower Lanyard Program isn’t the only initiative at the airport. CVG says it will do more with Leading Individuals Forward Together (LIFT)—a program for those with developmental disabilities to come through and get familiar with the airport.

TSA Cares is another program that helps passengers needing special accommodations or a little extra help.