Boise Airport, community engagement to pilot Sunflower hidden-disability lanyard and staff training

Heather Zeitlin, the city's community accessibility program manager, and Shauna Samuelson, Boise Airport air service and marketing manager, told the council the city and airport will pilot the Sunflower hidden-disabilities program to help staff identify and proactively assist passengers who choose to display a sunflower lanyard.

Staff described hidden disabilities as mental, neurological or physical conditions not immediately visible but which can limit movement, senses or activities. The Sunflower program uses a bright-green lanyard with yellow sunflowers as a discreet signal that the wearer may need additional assistance, more time or different instructions. Staff said the lanyards are free to the public and that training for passenger-facing staff (including tenant staff such as TSA and airline workers) will emphasize a single prompt"How can I help you?"and provide guidance on offering proactive, empathetic assistance.

The presenters said nearly half of the airport's nonstop destinations already participate in Sunflower programs and that some passengers at Boise already wear the lanyards. Boise will provide lanyards at the airport administration office and City Hall and offer a mail request form. Staff plan outreach to disability-advocacy groups, health-care providers, school districts and senior communities; they will also include educational posters for tenant break rooms and include the training in the city's iLearn system before the spring launch.

Council members welcomed the measure and asked staff to coordinate with the city's cross-disability task force; staff said they would engage the task force at its next meeting. The program will be launched alongside broader community outreach and tenant training at the airport.