Latest news with #HiddenDisabilitiesSunflower
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
WestJet joins global initiative to support guests through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program Français
CALGARY, AB, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, WestJet launched its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, enhancing its commitment to providing a welcoming and comfortable experience for all guests. The Sunflower program allows guests with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may require more assistance while travelling, including extra time, patience and support. "Through our participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, we are proud to further our commitment to providing convenient and accessible services that meet the unique needs of our guests," said Jacqui McGilliivray, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer. "The Sunflower lanyard provides a visual cue to help those with non-visible disabilities communicate their needs and navigate their environment with confidence, significantly improving their overall guest experience and making travel more accessible for them." The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is a globally recognized program that uses the Sunflower symbol to help travellers make their needs known. Guests can choose to wear the Sunflower lanyard, or other Sunflower branded products such as a pin or wristband, both in airports and on WestJet flights to indicate to WestJet employees that they may have a specific need or require additional assistance. "We are delighted to welcome WestJet to the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. Non-visible disabilities can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual, auditory and including sensory and processing difficulties. They can also include respiratory, heart, rare diseases and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic pain. It is wonderful to see how WestJet have committed time and energy to implement the Sunflower training to ensure that travelling Sunflower wearers are recognised by their staff to receive the additional help, understanding and kindness they may need." - Paul White, CEO Hidden Disabilities Sunflower As part of WestJet's commitment to improving accessibility, Sunflower lanyards are now available upon request at WestJet check-in counters across Canada. Guests are also encouraged to reuse their Sunflower lanyards on future flights or wherever the Sunflower is recognized and helps them receive the assistance they need. About WestJet WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada's leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians. Learn more about WestJet at (also available in French) Follow WestJet on Facebook at Follow WestJet on X at and Follow WestJet on Instagram at Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at About the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower enables individuals to discreetly indicate that they have a non-visible disability and may need additional assistance, understanding, or more time. Since Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was established in the UK in 2016, it has been adopted globally by businesses and charities to support their colleagues and customers. The Sunflower is recognized across a broad range of sectors - ranging from retail, financial services, transport including over 220 airports, travel and tourism, education, government, as well as healthcare, emergency service and entertainment. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is available globally and has been launched locally in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UAE, the UK and USA.
Skift
05-05-2025
- Health
- Skift
6 Ways to Help Attendees With Invisible Disabilities
More than 1 in 4 Americans have some sort of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though some might not be visible to others, they can still be debilitating. For people with these 'invisible' disabilities, from dementia to depression to neurodivergent disorders (including autism and ADD), the hectic nature of a meeting presents a unique set of challenges. Planners need to be prepared to offer them peaceful spaces, support, and off–ramps if needed. Here are 6 things you can do: 1. Provide Training for Your Team WeCARE Psychological Safety Training equips teams with peer support training. Event organizers empower a designated group of individuals to provide empathetic, non-judgmental support to attendees during an event. 2. Ask About Special Requirements at Registration Use language that is sensitive and inclusive. For example, instead of "Do you have any mental health conditions?" ask 'Are there any aspects of your well-being that we should be aware of to ensure your comfort and safety?' 3. Offer Safe Spaces One of the significant barriers for many invisible disabilities is sensitivity to overstimulation. Many meeting organizers are adding calm rooms, dedicated spaces designed to provide a sensory break for attendees. 4. Bring Attendees Together Being alone in a strange city can lead to feelings of isolation and even panic. One way to help is to organize new attendee events, buddy systems, and structured networking sessions and social activities for people to connect if they are feeling alone. 5. Make Sure Attendees Know About Your Support Services It's important to let attendees know that there is support available if needed through emails and other meeting communications, such as the conference program or the app. 6. Know What to Do in an Emergency If there is an immediate crisis where someone is in danger, call 911 and have the attendee taken to an emergency room. If the situation is not life-threatening, help him or her connect with resources such as the 988 Lifeline or the Crisis Text Line. (Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7.) The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was created to encourage inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding. People choose to wear a sunflower to share that they have a hidden disability, or might need extra help, understanding, or just more time, and carry a personalized Sunflower card listing the kinds of help they need. Sunflower 'advocates' can choose to wear badges, lanyards, or other signage to demonstrate their support for those who may have a non-visible disability. Since its launch in 2016, businesses from every sector, including travel and tourism, have joined the global Sunflower network in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.K., the UAE, and the U.S.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Visit Quad Cities earns People's Choice Award at tourism conference
Visit Quad Cities was honored with the People's Choice Award at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona on Thursday, according to a news release. Presented by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Travel Iowa, this award recognizes Visit Quad Cities' efforts to advance accessible tourism through its partnerships with Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs. Earlier in the conference, Visit Quad Cities received the newly created 'You Rock Geode Award' for the same initiatives, which helped position the organization as a contender for the People's Choice Award. 'We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this honor,' said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. 'We are grateful to IEDA and Travel Iowa for this recognition and deeply appreciative of our industry colleagues across Iowa for their support. This award reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the Quad Cities is a welcoming and inclusive destination for all. Accessible tourism is a long-term commitment, and we will continue to lead and serve our regional destination with purpose and impact.' The People's Choice Award is one of the conference's most prestigious honors, as it reflects direct recognition from tourism industry professionals. Visit Quad Cities was one of eight nominees, with over 300 tourism leaders attending the conference and voting to select this year's winner. Advancing Accessible Tourism: Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Visit Quad Cities has partnered with Wheel the World, a global travel solution for people with disabilities. This initiative enables users to book hotels and tours that match their accessibility needs. In 2024, Visit Quad Cities initiated outreach to local attractions and points of interest to be site-mapped for accessibility. Participating businesses underwent a voluntary three-step process: assessment, training, and promotion. The John Deere Pavilion, The Half Nelson, the Current Iowa hotel and Riverboat Twilight are just a few points of interest on the Quad Cities' Wheel the World page. Over time, Visit Quad Cities and Wheel the World will identify new and potential partners to scale this program. Intentionality around accessible tourism was identified as a gap and opportunity in Visit Quad Cities' Tourism Master Plan under Destination Stewardship. A seal ceremony is forthcoming to recognize Visit Quad Cities and its participating points of interest, further cementing the Quad Cities as a verified accessible destination through Wheel the World. In October 2024, Visit Quad Cities announced its partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. This global initiative provides a discreet way for individuals with non-visible disabilities to signal that they may need extra understanding, patience, or support while navigating public spaces. As part of this effort, Visit Quad Cities staff has been trained through the Sunflower Program to better assist individuals with hidden disabilities. Notably, Visit Quad Cities' Union Station Destination Center in Davenport is the first Sunflower-friendly location in the State of Iowa. Both Union Station and River Station Destination Center in Moline display the Sunflower decal at their entrances, signaling that these locations welcome and accommodate all visitors. The People's Choice Award recognition underscores Visit Quad Cities' dedication to making the region more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that all travelers, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy everything the Quad Cities has to offer. 'We were honored to be among some incredible nominees – congratulations to all of them for the outstanding work they're doing across Iowa,' added Herrell. 'This award belongs to our visitors, residents, and partners who support our mission every day. We will continue to push forward with initiatives that drive accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.' About Visit Quad CitiesVisit Quad Cities, established in 1990, is the region's official destination marketing organization (DMO). Through tourism, Visit Quad Cities generates economic growth, fosters the visitor economy, and elevates the regional destination's global presence. An accredited DMO through Destinations International's DMAP program, Visit Quad Cities promotes the regional brand, drives economic opportunities, invigorates visitor experience, and enhances quality of life and place for all Quad Citizens. For information, visit here. About the Iowa Tourism OfficeThe Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state's beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $7.3 billion in expenditures in 2023, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 70,954 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
