Des Moines International Airport Shines a Light on Inclusivity with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Pictured above (from left to right): The team who helped bring the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to life: Dr. Teri Wahlig, CEO of ChildServe; Laura Livingston, Communications Director for the Alzheimer’s Association; Kevin Foley, Executive Director of the Des Moines International Airport; Robert Brownell, Polk County Supervisor; and Dr. Yogesh Shah – Geriatrics Section Chief at Broadlawns Medical Center.

In a world where travel can often feel overwhelming, particularly for those with non-visible disabilities, the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is leading the charge in fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment. This commitment is exemplified by the introduction of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a global initiative designed to improve accessibility and understanding for travelers with hidden disabilities.

DSM’s participation in this program marks a significant step in creating a travel experience that prioritizes dignity, respect, and understanding. Here’s an in-depth look at how this initiative is transforming the way people experience air travel and how DSM is championing inclusivity through partnerships and community involvement.

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program?

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program began in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom with the simple idea of providing sunflower-themed lanyards to travelers with hidden disabilities. These lanyards discreetly signal to airport and airline staff that the wearer might need extra time, support or understanding during their journey.

Hidden disabilities can encompass a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• ADHD
• Sensory processing disorders
• Chronic pain or fatigue conditions
• Mental health challenges such as anxiety or PTSD
• Hearing or vision impairments not immediately apparent
• Learning difficulties

By providing a simple, yet universally recognizable symbol, the Sunflower Program aims to remove the stigma often associated with requesting assistance and create a more inclusive travel experience.

DSM’s Commitment to Accessibility

DSM has always prioritized the needs of its passengers, ensuring everyone has an equal and seamless experience. With the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, DSM is able to take another stride in ensuring accessibility for all. This initiative is part of a larger effort to build a more accommodating and compassionate environment during a time when air travel can already be stressful.

This program was brought to our attention by Polk County Supervisor Robert Brownell, who was traveling with his wife, who had dementia, and Dr. Yogesh Shah, the head of Broadlawns Brain and Memory Center, who has a deep insight into the challenges of hidden disabilities. Doug Bickford, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association – Iowa Chapter also played a key role in asking DSM to initiate the Sunflower Program here at the airport.

Key Features of the Program at DSM

1. Sunflower Lanyards and Accessories: Passengers with hidden disabilities can request sunflower lanyards or lapel pins from the Alzheimer’s Association, Broadlawns Medical Center or ChildServe. These items are provided free of charge, ensuring accessibility to everyone.
2. Staff Education: DSM’s employees as well as the airport tenants, including TSA officers, airline customer service representative and concessions staff, recognize the sunflower symbol and understand how to provide respectful and effective assistance.
3. Enhanced Support: Passengers wearing the sunflower symbol will be recognized as possibly needing additional time during security checks, assistance with navigation or extra support at any touchpoint within the airport.
4. Collaborative Partnerships: DSM has teamed up with local organizations such as Alzheimer’s Association, Broadlawns Medical Center and ChildServe to help spread the word about this program. These partnerships provide specialized expertise in the areas of hidden disabilities and are a great resource to ensure the program is implemented thoughtfully and effectively.

Why the Program Matters

For many, air travel is a routine part of life. For individuals with hidden disabilities, however, it can be a daunting challenge. Crowds, noise, long lines and unfamiliar environments can worsen anxiety and discomfort, making even short trips overwhelming. Not to mention the strain it puts on caregivers to help those in their care navigate air travel.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program removes barriers by fostering understanding and empowering passengers to travel with confidence.

Real-World Impacts of the Program

• Empowering Travelers: The program gives individuals with hidden disabilities a tool to advocate for their needs without having to repeatedly explain or disclose their condition.
• Educating Communities: By educating airport, airline and tenant staff and raising public awareness, the program normalizes the conversation around hidden disabilities, fostering a culture of empathy.
• Setting a Standard: DSM’s involvement encourages other airports, airlines and travel hubs to adopt similar initiatives, creating a ripple effect throughout the industry. Des Moines is the first in the state of Iowa to initiate this program.

Celebrating Inclusivity with Community Partnerships

DSM’s collaboration with local organizations ensures that the program is impactful and far-reaching. Here are the reasons why this program matters to our partners.

• TSA Partnership: Working closely with the TSA and the TSA Cares Program helps ensure that travelers wearing the sunflower symbol encounter a smoother security screening process. TSA officers are educated to offer compassionate support to those with the lanyard, minimizing stress for those needing extra time or explanation during screenings.
• Alzheimer’s Association: Passengers with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s or dementia often face unique challenges when traveling. The Alzheimer’s Association brought its expertise to DSM to help explain why this program is important to implement. Having a lanyard will let employees know that kindness and caution will be helpful for these people.
• Broadlawns Medical Center: Dementia should NOT prevent adults from enjoying travel and visiting family and friends. Air travel isn't easy for people with dementia — and their caregivers. Those with dementia become confused or get lost in busy, noisy airports. Balance or perception problems may increase the risk of falling and make moving walkways or vehicles challenging. The Sunflower Program allows caregivers to alert the airport, TSA and airline staff to this invisible disability.
• ChildServe: As a specialty pediatric healthcare provider, ChildServe serves children of all ages and abilities every day, and its mission is to partner with families to help children with special healthcare needs live great lives. This is an incredible opportunity to help families — we know how difficult it can be to pack and prepare children who are typically developing for travel, and then to add the element of sensory processing or other disorders for a family, and the task may become overwhelming. Having this program at the airport will help ChildServe continue to meet families where they are and improve the lives of children with challenges that may otherwise go unnoticed.

How to Access the Program at DSM

Participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is simple and accessible for all passengers:

1. Requesting a Lanyard: Travelers can request sunflower lanyards or pins from the three local partners listed above. We encourage passengers to be proactive about obtaining lanyards before they arrive at the airport.



2. No Documentation Required: To maintain accessibility, the program does not require passengers to provide medical documentation to participate.
3. Plan Ahead: While the program is designed to assist passengers on the day of travel, DSM encourages those with specific needs to contact other airports or their airlines in advance to discuss additional accommodations that may be needed for their passenger with a hidden disability.
4. Additional Resources: Three local organizations have already partnered with DSM on this venture, but if any other organization wants to participate, information and lanyards are available on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.

How You Can Support the Program

Inclusivity is a collective effort, and the community can also play an essential role in supporting DSM’s participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Fellow Iowans can help by spreading awareness and sharing information about the program with friends, family and colleagues who may benefit from it.

Practicing empathy is also vital — if you are traveling through DSM or any airport and see someone wearing a sunflower lanyard, be patient and understanding. Additionally, engaging on social media can amplify the program's reach. Follow DSM’s social media accounts to stay informed, and share your experiences using the hashtag #SunflowerProgramDSM to help raise visibility and support for this important initiative.

Making the Travel Experience Easier on All

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is more than an initiative — it’s a testament to DSM’s dedication to creating a travel environment where everyone feels valued and supported. The sunflower empowers individuals with invisible disabilities to travel confidently, knowing support is available throughout their journey.

By championing inclusivity, fostering partnerships and prioritizing accessibility, DSM is making a difference locally and setting an example for airports nationwide. It is important to get this information out to those who need it.

The addition of the Sunflower Program to our airport works closely in conjunction with a program already in place — TSA Cares. TSA Cares is a helpline that offers screening information and assistance to travelers with disabilities and medical conditions and others who may need additional assistance with screening. Through TSA Cares, a traveler may request the services of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS), who can provide assistance through security screening. A PSS is a TSA officer who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions; and travelers who need additional screening assistance.

As you plan your next journey, we ask you to take pride in knowing that Des Moines International Airport is leading the way in ensuring air travel is a positive experience for everyone. Whether you or someone you know could benefit from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, DSM is here to make your travel experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Safe travels, Iowa.

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