Aruba Airport Authority is the newest member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. is delighted to announce that Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA Airport) is officially a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network. This is part of the airport’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for its employees, passengers and other users.

Currently, one in six of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, which equates to approximately 1.3 billion people. While some disabilities are visible, many others are hidden, or a combination of both. These conditions may be temporary, occupational, situational, or permanent and include neurological, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental conditions, among others. The global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network enables staff to recognize individuals wearing the official Sunflower lanyard and ask how they can support them to meet their access needs, making the invisible visible.

The official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program was launched on Friday October 25th, 2024, during International Invisible Disability Awareness Week, with a small ceremony at AUA Airport in the presence of Mrs. Maureen de Mooy-Schreuder, Ambassador of the Netherlands & Belgium, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower team, Mrs. Carolina Thiel-Span, President of the Aruba Autism Foundation (FAA) and advocate for the Sunflower, Mrs. Sary Wernet-Kelly, Revalidation Therapist at the Foundation for the Visually Impaired (FAVI), AAA’s Health and Sustainability Team, colleagues, and the airport community. The ceremony included speeches on behalf of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program team, FAA and AAA, and concluded with the placement of the first official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower sticker at the security checkpoint by Byron Lesire and Kay Quandus, both are Ambassador for the Aruba Autism Foundation. To highlight this special occasion, both employees and passengers were given sunflower-themed cookies as part of the official launch.

Leading up to the launch, during September and October 2024, approximately 200 employees including airport security staff, concessionaires, customer service agents, and others involved in airport operations, received an awareness training to familiarize themselves with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Staff members have been informed on how to help respectfully and efficiently, ensuring that every visitor feels supported and valued.

“We recognize and will continue to advocate the importance of inclusivity and diversity at our airport. We are super proud to announce our membership of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and strive to create a safe and welcoming workplace for all our employees, passengers and airport community. By adopting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, we are demonstrating our support towards individuals with invisible disabilities”, said Director Health and Sustainability, Mrs. Angeline Flemming.

Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said, “We are delighted to welcome Aruba Airport to the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. The Sunflower is an effective communication tool for passengers to signal to the staff at the airport that they might need an offer of support, understanding and kindness. It makes a positive difference to the travel experience for people who have invisible disabilities”.

For more information about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower visit their website: hdsunflower.com