The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organization to bring its Sunflower Lanyard program to MSP. (Watch this 45-second short video to learn more about hidden disabilities. )
The organization, based in the United Kingdom, helps people with hidden disabilities discreetly inform others – through the use of a Sunflower printed lanyard – that they have a disability that may not be readily apparent. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower indicates to anyone approaching – especially those in customer service roles – a person wearing one of these items that the person may need more assistance and that their patience is appreciated.
How it works is simple. Travelers ask for a lanyard at one of the locations listed below and determine for themselves when to wear them. Anyone who feels they have a hidden disability can request one. There are no prerequisites for asking for or wearing an item. When someone working at the airport sees someone wearing a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower-branded lanyard, they will then know that this person may need extra assistance/patience.
Check out the frequently asked questions below for more details.
There is no qualifying list of hidden disabilities. If you have a hidden disability and feel that you would benefit from wearing a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower product, please do.
You can pick up a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard at any of the information desks in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. All of the information desks are typically staffed from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Extended hours are available at:
- Terminal 1: the Level T (Pre-Security) information desk is staffed from 7 a.m. - 1:45 a.m.
- Terminal 1: the Level 2 (Departures, Pre-Security) information desk is staffed from 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Terminal 2: the Ground Transportation information desk is staffed from 7 a.m. - 1:45 a.m.
Yes you can. However, MSP Airport limits its distribution to a limited area of the Upper Midwest, generally including Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas. We have a limit of one lanyard per household. Please allow seven days for delivery.
If you live outside of those areas or want sunflower wearables in addition to the standard lanyard, consider checking with your local airport or visit https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ to purchase one.
For MSP Airport-area passengers, please contact Shelly Lopez for assistance.
Work: 612-726-5239
Wear the item anytime you want others to know that you have a hidden disability. At MSP, we’ve provided information to our employees about the program, including airline, restaurant, retailer and Transportation Security Administration personnel, to name a few.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower does not entitle the wearer to anything other than identifying that you have a hidden disability and that you may need some assistance, help, or a little more time. It is not a pass to be fast-tracked through security, nor for any other benefit.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is relatively new to the United States. It began in the United Kingdom and is recognized in several other countries. The program has been expanding in the US and is recognized at a growing number of US airports, including:
- Charlotte Douglas International, Charlotte, NC
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International - Hebron, KY
- Columbus International - Columbus, OH
- Denver International - Denver, CO
- George Bush Intercontinental - Houston, TX
- John F. Kennedy International - New York, NY
- Memphis International - Memphis, TN
- Miami International - Miami, FL
- Newark Liberty International - Newark, NY
- Orlando Sanford International - Orlando, FL
- San Jose International - San Jose, CA
- Seattle-Tacoma International - Seattle, OR
For a current listing of all locations participating in the program, go to: hiddendisabilitiesstore/us.com
Shelly Lopez, MSP airport customer experience coordinator
Shelly.Lopez@mspmac.org
612-726-5239
You can also visit: hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/us
