Cork Airport has launched a discreet identification scheme for people with invisible disabilities.

Cork Airport has launched a discreet identification scheme for people with invisible disabilities.  
The newly introduced sunflower lanyard initiative allows staff to identify those with hidden disabilities and gives passengers both young and old the opportunity to avail of additional support as they travel through the airport.
Invisible disabilities include those such as dementia, epilepsy, autism and visual or hearing impairment. 
The airport is Ireland's first airport to adopt the scheme which is recognised in larger airports such as Belfast, London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. 
Deirdre O’Donovan, Operations Manager at Cork Airport said: "We are entering our fourth consecutive year of growth, and with an increase in our passenger base comes an expansion of services to meet demands."
"I am delighted to be leading the launch of a hidden disability lanyard as part of Cork Airport’s ongoing Hidden Disabilities Programme."
"We are always looking to improve the facilities on offer to our passengers and we hope that the introduction of the lanyard will make it a little easier for those of our passengers in need of little more assistance on their airport journey."
In March last year just a few days ahead of World Autism Week the Shannon airport became the first airport in Europe to open a sensory room as part of their customer care programme upgrade. 
Designed to create a soothing and calming environment for adults and children with special needs ahead of their flight, the sensory room has been a roaring success.
Located in the departure lounge, the room was created by education and therapy company Adam & Friends.
Facilities include colour changing LEDs, aquatic bubble tubes and undulated wavy wall. 
Kellie Kearney is a Dublin mammy of 4 kids aged 2, 3, 5 and 9 (and she is expecting baby #5 in May). Described as a self-confessed procrastinator and picker-upper of things, Kellie would never turn down a coffee, loves to travel and shares her every day true to life moments on Instagram. 

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