The Saskatoon Airport Authority is pleased to announce the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program at YXE Saskatoon Airport (YXE). This initiative will enhance accessibility and provide a more inclusive travel experience for passengers with non-visible disabilities.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program offers travelers a discreet way to communicate their non-visible disabilities by wearing a complimentary green lanyard adorned with yellow sunflowers. This initiative is designed to make a traveler’s journey through the airport easier by providing a subtle indication that additional assistance or patience may be needed. Passengers can request these free Sunflower lanyards at the airport's Information Desk in the pre-security area of the main terminal once they arrive for their flights.
“YXE continuously strives to fulfill its vision to be the most valued airport experience in Canada,” says Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of the Saskatoon Airport Authority. “By launching the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we are enhancing our guest services while reinforcing our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity for all our guests.”
The program recognizes that many individuals have non-visible conditions or experience a combination of visible and non-visible conditions. These disabilities can be neurological, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental, as well as physical, visual, and auditory. They also include sensory and processing difficulties, respiratory conditions, or chronic health conditions.
Participation in the program is voluntary for YXE passengers, reflecting the airport's commitment to accommodating the diverse needs of its travelers.
In Saskatchewan, 27.7% of the adult population reports having a form of disability. On a global scale, approximately one out of every six individuals lives with a disability.
Recognizing this increasing prevalence, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program was initially developed in 2016 at London Gatwick Airport in England. Since its inception, the program has been adopted by over 240 airports in more than 30 countries and 17 airlines worldwide, including more than 100 airports across North America.
For more information about the program and its impact, please visit the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower official website:
