Airports can often feel overwhelming and hectic, particularly if you're uncertain about what to expect on the day of travel. This experience can be even more challenging if you or someone you're with has a non-visible disability—commonly referred to as a hidden disability. These can include conditions such as autism, anxiety, dementia, mental health disorders, chronic illnesses, visual impairments, or hearing loss.
What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?
Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone, with a “non-visible” condition, genuinely needs support. Some people question whether you have a disability because you don’t look ‘like you have a disability".
That is why we created the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.
It is a simple tool for you to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily. Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re just letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
The Sunflower - always here to support you
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is here every day of the year to support people living with non-visible disabilities in their communities by raising awareness, training businesses and sharing stories to help create a more inclusive, understanding society.
Since its launch in 2016, businesses from every sector have been joining the global Sunflower network - ranging from retail, travel, and tourism, transport including over 200 airports- as well as railway networks, coach and bus services and ferries, education (universities, schools and colleges), healthcare, central and local government agencies to football teams, theme parks, theatres and financial institutions.
The Sunflower has now been launched locally in Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, the UAE and the USA.
Why did we choose a sunflower?
Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily barriers faced by people living with an invisible disability.
We searched for a discreet sign that is visible from a distance as well as being distinctive, joyful, and dynamic. We chose a sunflower as it suggests happiness, positivity, strength as well as growth and confidence and is universally known.
Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard
If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, you can request a hidden disability lanyard. Please visit our Terminal Control Centre (Or the Oversize Baggage Counter if the TCC is closed) to buy a lanyard. Wearing a sunflower lanyard when you are at Cairns Airport is a discreet way for you to indicate to our team that you may need a little extra help, guidance or time with the airport processes. Our team have been trained to recognise the lanyard and provide the assistance and support you may need. Some of our Airport staff will also be wearing a Sunflower badge on their shirts or lanyards to help you feel a little more at ease.
View our Terminal Map here
If you have any queries, please contact 08 8920 1822 (Option 2)