How to have an Accessible Experience when Traveling Alone with a Disability
If you want to know what it's like to travel abroad as a person with a disability, I think I said it best in my short reflection piece “Aerophobia" in the 2024-25 Accessibility Insider:
“I’m not a nervous flyer. I have flown on planes since I was a couple months old. I am familiar with the mechanical hum of the plane and the violent rumbling whenever it hits turbulence. There is a baby picture of me somewhere, sitting comfortably, staring into the aisle with a plastic fork in my mouth. Completely calm, perhaps even a little mischievous. Perhaps the fact I was merely three months old when 9/11 happened, my fear of planes never took root... While this fear has never stopped me from going on a plane, it is the airport that makes me – uncomfortable.”
“Aerophobia” details a traumatic experience I had when travelling alone from Barbados back to Canada while experiencing the most severe dizziness that forced me to use a wheelchair to navigate my flight. I will not lie to you, being dizzy for hours was terrifying as it removed my mobility and sight, things I took for granted as a person who is hard of hearing. With the majority of my senses gone, I had to rely on airport and airline personnel to get around the airport.
There were a lot of things that happened on that trip home that I won’t share here (such as nearly falling off a lift- 50 feet off the ground), I guess you’ll have to read it yourself. That being said, I appreciate staff at the airports and on the plane for supporting me through this ordeal. They made sure I got to where I needed to be, even when I couldn't see, hear or walk. That is the promise I will make to you as you prepare to travel this summer. It is possible to find accessibility supportregardless of which airport or airline you take.
But if there was one thing I wished I had during this experience, it was my Sunflower Lanyard. As an accessibility advocate, I was familiar with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and how useful it is. I ordered one of their websites a month before my trip. As I wanted a customized version that identifies the type of support I require. However, I overestimated how long it would take to get a package from the UK.
I have it now, but I wish I had it then. For those with invisible disabilities, it is sometimes difficult to be understood or recognized in having disability and thus deserving accommodations.
The Sunflower Lanyards essentially offer you a chance to communicate with others that you may need support when it is not always obvious that you need it. For example, during my flight home from Barbados, the staff at the airports and airlines knew that I had a mobility issue due to my dizziness and were able to get me a wheelchair. However, because I didn’t have my Sunflower Lanyard, I was not able to explain that I am hard of hearing. Of course, under normal circumstances I could simply verbalize that I need support for my hearing loss. However, due to the severity of my dizziness and lethargy, I found myself struggling to speak. Between having a lisp and being extremely tired, I had to put in a lot of effort to speak. If I had my lanyard, it would have been easier to express my needs.
This realization was cemented by my second trip abroad where I had my Sunflower Lanyard. This time as I arrived back to Canada, the Pearson Airport staff immediately recognized my Sunflower Lanyard and gestured me to step into the sunflower accessibility line to check-in (which was a faster line and the staff were accommodating). This positive experience made me realize that the Sunflower Lanyard does work, and I recommend others to use it.
Another thing to note is that the Sunflower Lanyard is also something you can use in various places, not just for traveling abroad. I have used it on the TTC, The Go, even at shops or cafes when I am ordering food. While not everyone will automatically recognize the Sunflower Lanyard or what it stands for, I am able to use the card to explain that I need support without having to disclose too much information. It feels special when others recognize the sunflower and know what it means. In a way I feel seen when I wouldn’t have otherwise.
If you would like to have a more accessible experience while travelling, I strongly recommend picking up the free Sunflower Lanyard from Summer Abroad’s office during office hours.
Check out Summer Abroad’s Sunflower Initiative website for more information on Sunflower-recognized airlines and airports across all Summer Abroad Programs.