Gatwick Airport has launched a first-of-its-kind lanyard for passengers with hidden disabilities who may require additional support when travelling through the airport.
The lanyard for passengers with hidden disabilities and their families will act as a discreet sign for staff that additional support or help may be required.
The lanyard, which was launched at Gatwick Airport as part of Dementia Awareness Week (May 15-21, 2016), is being supported by leading charities like the Alzheimer’s Society, The National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss.
Gatwick Airport has been working closely with UK charities and OCS, which provide passenger assistance services at Gatwick, to promote greater awareness and understanding of the challenges passengers with hidden disabilities can experience when traveling through busy environments.
As part of the initiative, Gatwick is increasing awareness and training of airport staff and appointing ‘workplace champions’ to provide enhanced assistance for passengers with hidden disabilities.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said, “We recognize that traveling through a busy airport can be a challenge for passengers with hidden disabilities and we want to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to welcome and assist all our passengers.
“An important part of this commitment is ensuring greater awareness and understanding of hidden disabilities across the airport community, alongside improvements to the physical environment and the training of our staff so that they are well-equipped to recognize and respond to the needs of passengers.”
Click here to read more about catering for passengers with disabilities in the June 2016 issue of Passenger Terminal World.