The Sunflower Lanyard: Process of Application and its Benefits for individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator CRR A64010)

We have all heard of the Sunflower lanyard and how it helps create better accessibility for individuals with hidden disabilities, like Autism, during air travel.

I recently travelled to Guwahati from Hyderabad and decided to apply for a sunflower lanyard for Kabir.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:

One can apply for a lanyard many days in advance through the specific website on hidden disabilities (mentioned below) or one can also apply on the day of the travel (with the requisite documents especially Disability certificate or a medical prescription regarding the individual’s condition) at the numerous information counters at the airport.

For Hyderabad, one can have a look at the following website

https://www.hyderabad.aero/hidden-disabilities-sunflower.aspx

And fill in the form with details about the individual (who needs the sunflower lanyard): Full Name, Date of Travel,  Flight number, Email id, Phone number and a copy of either the Disability certificate, or a Medical Prescription. Once the form is submitted, a mail of acknowledgement is sent by the airport authority to the email id shared in the form. A copy of this mail can be shown at any information counter in the airport (usually these counters have a sunflower lanyard visual on their windows) on the day of travel and they hand over the lanyard after verification of the details.

BENEFITS OF THE SUNFLOWER LANYARD:

It significantly reduces Waiting time at various points within the airport and in fact, the individual and the accompanying family members are given priority during Baggage Check in, Security Check in and Boarding.

If one can speak to the airline personnel manning  the gates (before boarding), they allow the family to board alongside those who have opted for Fast Forward boarding. This cuts down the waiting time considerably and usually the family can be one of the first few pasengers to board the aircraft. A similar request can be made to the crew while disembarking the flight.

On the whole, I found the experience of application, collection and the use of the Sunflower lanyard at the Hyderabad airport to be very smooth. And I will make it a point to use it everytime I travel with Kabir.

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Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs. She has a 14 year old on the Autism spectrum. She is presently working as a Consultant Special Educator at Oyster CDC, Begumpet, Hyderabad.

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“Flowers”
Acrylic Marker Pens on Sketch Pad
Kabir Vernal