Beginning June 2, 2025, Pensacola Worldwide Airport (PNS) is rolling out a brand new initiative that might make journey considerably extra accessible for people residing with invisible disabilities. The airport has formally joined the worldwide Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Programa voluntary system that helps vacationers who might have further time, assist, or understanding whereas navigating the airport.
At Ortiz Regulation Agency, we’re proud to see our hometown airport take this inclusive step. As a incapacity legislation agency that works with purchasers dealing with psychological well being circumstances, neurological issues, and different life-altering impairments, we perceive the challenges of residing with a hidden incapacity.
What Is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program?
Initially developed at London’s Gatwick Airport in 2016, this system has expanded throughout the globe and now operates in over 330 airports, 22 airways, and numerous companies, hospitals, and authorities workplaces. The idea is straightforward however highly effective. people with invisible disabilities can discreetly sign that they could want further endurance, help, or flexibility by sporting a sunflower-patterned lanyard.
Frequent invisible disabilities embrace:
Recognizing the lanyard permits airport employees to offer a extra compassionate and personalised service with out requiring people to clarify their situation or limitations.
How It Works at PNS
As of June 2, 2025, vacationers at Pensacola Worldwide Airport can decide up a free Sunflower lanyard on the airport’s Data Desk. Airport staff and companion organizations have undergone coaching to acknowledge the lanyard and reply with acceptable assist. This might imply providing clearer directions, permitting extra time to get by safety, or just approaching with a bit extra endurance and empathy.
Why This Issues to Our Shoppers
Lots of our purchasers have disabilities that aren’t seen to the informal observer. Insurance coverage firms could decrease or deny their long-term incapacity claims for this very cause. Packages just like the Sunflower Initiative are a robust reminder {that a} incapacity might be actual and critical even when it isn’t seen.
Should you stay with fibromyalgia, power migraines, post-concussion syndrome, nervousness, or one other invisible situation, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program may also help scale back journey stress and guarantee you might be handled with dignity.
We Applaud This Step Towards Accessibility
We commend Pensacola Worldwide Airport for becoming a member of the worldwide Sunflower community and making our metropolis extra inclusive for everybody, residents and vacationers alike. It is a significant win for individuals who too typically really feel ignored or misunderstood in public areas.
Should you or somebody you like resides with an invisible incapacity and scuffling with a incapacity declare, we’re right here to assist. At Ortiz Regulation Agencywe battle to make sure our purchasers are heard, supported, and pretty compensated for his or her disabling circumstances. Name (888) 321-8131 for assist together with your incapacity declare.
