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Hidden disabilities

Hidden disabilities

For guests in need of special services or additional support, learn about the Sunflower lanyard programme.
Travel planner
Travel Planner is a visual guide that demonstrates the travel journey for guests, specifically for those with hidden disabilities. This guide enables guests to enhance their journey through the airport. 

How do you use the guide?
This guide will help clarify a trip to the airport for people who may find travelling difficult. You will find information of the different steps of airport travel, and useful information on each touchpoint.

Travel planner
Sunflower lanyard

Guests with autism can wear a discrete lanyard provided by Dubai Airports so that employees can easily identify them, and respond appropriately or provide additional support.

The lanyards permit access to the family and priority lanes at all guest-processing touchpoints both at departures and arrivals. The travel experience can be significantly enhanced by providing additional information to guests with autism prior to travel.

You can collect your sunflower lanyard at any of our terminals at DXB and DWC.

Visit Hidden Disabilities for more information. 

DPNA Code
DPNA stands for Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance. A code introduced by International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2008, it is typically used in airline bookings to inform travel service providers that the guest requires assistance during their travel.
Security checkpoints

Dubai Police has implemented services to help passengers with physical, hearing, visual and mental impairments. Metal detector gates have been customised in-line with the standards and requirements for wheelchairs and 400 employees have been trained to assist guests with intellectual disabilities. As a consideration for guests with prosthetic limbs, a special room has been allocated for inspection. To facilitate the inspection process, guests should carry any relevant medical reports.

Security checkpoints for POD across DXB and DWC Arrivals and Departures consist of dedicated lanes. It allows them a quick, easy and dignified experience. Lanes are typically identified with stickers.

Autism friendly route

The route consists of autism friendly check-in, dedicated lanes for Immigration, emigration and security screening. They are marked with the sunflower symbol (stickers on the floor) and sunflower brand on the counters. Employees who are trained to support POD can be identified by the sunflower pin.

Can we fast-track check-in, immigration and security?

  • There is a dedicated lane at security and immigration. Please look for sunflower stickers on the floor that will guide you to the dedicated desk.
  • Check-in is at the airline’s discretion, if you wear the sunflower lanyard, you will be called forward.
  • At the airline’s discretion, you will be given a choice of when you would like to board the aircraft.
General support

How will I identify an employee who can help me?

  • You can talk to any airport employee
  • If you wear your lanyard, airport employees can easily identify you
  • Employees who wear the sunflower pin are trained to support POD

Frequently asked questions about the products and services at Dubai Airports for POD with hidden disabilities.

Background Information

What are the products and services on offer?

  • We have a hidden disability autism-friendly route across DXB and DWC. You can use your Sunflower lanyard as identification so airport employees can support you throughout your journey.

What is the DPNA code?

  • The DPNA code – Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance - was introduced by the International Air Transport Association.
  • Guests can use the DPNA code when booking their ticket. It will notify airlines of the special service support needed during the journey.
Are any documents required to avail of the service and use the facilities? 
  • No documents are required and guests can approach our employees to request the service.
  • Guests will not be asked for POD status.
Is the service free of charge?
  • Yes, the service is free of charge.
Where can I find more information about POD services and products at DXB?

Check- in

Is there a dedicated check-in desk? 
  • Terminal 1: Those wearing the sunflower lanyard can use the special assistance desk to check in. 
  • Terminals 1, 2 and DWC: Gusts can approach an employee in the check-in area to be guided through the autism-friendly process.

Products and services - Sunflower lanyard

Where can I get the sunflower lanyard at the airport?
  • Terminal 3: At the departure hall info desk which is parallel to Departures entrance 2
  • Terminal 1: Prior to the check-in area entry point. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; our airport employees will be happy to give you a sunflower lanyard.
  • Terminal 2: Prior to the check-in areas. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; airport employees will be happy to provide a Sunflower lanyard.
  • DWC: Prior to the check-in areas. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; airport employees will be happy to provide a Sunflower lanyard.
  • All Terminals: Collect a Sunflower lanyard at the desk prior to passport control.
Can I get my sunflower lanyard prior to coming to the Airport?
  • Dubai residents can collect a Sunflower lanyard from the Dubai Autism Centre.
  • Sunflower lanyards are also available to purchase from online shopping platforms.
Is my family eligible to use the sunflower lanyard?
  • The Sunflower lanyard is available to anyone who would like to identify themselves as a person of determination (POD) with a Hidden Disability.
  • Only one lanyard is provided to each child registered as DPNA (and therefore the family).
  • The accompanying family can use the autism friendly route.
Who can wear the sunflower lanyard?
  • The person with autism can wear the lanyard or the caregiver. 
How many sunflower lanyards can I take?
  • One sunflower lanyard for the person of determination (including family).
  • The accompanying family do not need to wear one (the caregiver can wear the lanyard if the person of determination does not want to).
Do I have to give the sunflower lanyard back?
  • The sunflower lanyard is for you to keep and reuse.
What is the route through the airport if I wear the sunflower lanyard?
  • The sunflower lanyard allows airport employees to provide dedicated service. 
  • Check-in will be autism friendly. 
  • There are dedicated lanes for passport control and security screening. Look for the POD symbol  to identify dedicated services/areas.
How will I recognise the dedicated areas for POD with hidden disabilities?
  • Look for the Sunflower logo to identify dedicated areas/services at each of the guests journey touchpoints.
How will I identify someone to help me?
  • All employees are here to support and assist.
  • Employees who are specifically trained to support POD will wear the Sunflower badge.
Can I use the sunflower lanyard in other airports? 
  • Globally, airports that offer a POD service will recognise the Sunflower lanyard.

Products

Is there a sensory pod available at DXB?
  • At this time, there is no Sensory Pod available in DXB or DWC.
  • A Sensory Pod was on a trial at Terminal 3. Dubai Airports is assessing the feedback and the potential to offer it as a permanent service.

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