Hidden Disability Assistance
Our Special Assistance team is available to support guests with hidden disabilities, offering assistance tailored to individual needs—from minimal help to full guidance through the airport.
We understand you may need more time for information processing and may experience anxiety in certain situations. Simply let us know how we can best assist you upon arrival.
Guests with hidden disabilities can use special assistance lanes to avoid busy areas and reduce queue times. Our team can also recommend quieter spaces in Departures.
At Zayed International Airport we are proud to support the Hidden Disability Sunflower Programme, and offer a free Sensory Space facility, further information can be found by clicking the links below.
We understand you may need more time for information processing and may experience anxiety in certain situations. Simply let us know how we can best assist you upon arrival.
Guests with hidden disabilities can use special assistance lanes to avoid busy areas and reduce queue times. Our team can also recommend quieter spaces in Departures.
At Zayed International Airport we are proud to support the Hidden Disability Sunflower Programme, and offer a free Sensory Space facility, further information can be found by clicking the links below.
The Sunflower Lanyard is a globally recognised initiative that discreetly signals hidden disabilities, helping individuals receive extra support and understanding. First launched at London Gatwick Airport in 2016, it has since expanded worldwide across various sectors, including airports, public transport, schools, and more.
By wearing the lanyard, individuals can indicate their need for assistance, allowing Zayed International Airport staff to make necessary accommodations and ensure a smooth travel experience.
Further information can be found by clinking the following links’:
You can request a lanyard at our Special Assistance desks in the pre-check-in area or in Departures for guests transferring between flights.
By wearing the lanyard, individuals can indicate their need for assistance, allowing Zayed International Airport staff to make necessary accommodations and ensure a smooth travel experience.
Further information can be found by clinking the following links’:
- A symbol for non-visible disabilities, also known as hidden disabilities or invisible disabilities.
- What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower? - YouTube
You can request a lanyard at our Special Assistance desks in the pre-check-in area or in Departures for guests transferring between flights.
Zayed International Airport Sensory Space
Located in Departures, our Sensory Space facility features two interactive and safe rooms designed for people of determination that wish for a calming and engaging space to relax before their flight.
The rooms feature interactive light displays, bubble tubes, soft furnishings and seating.
The Sensory Space can be found close to Gate D43, in the corridor between D-Gates and C-Gates, please follow signage towards D-Gates and Etihad Lounges.
Opening Times
Open 24/7
Sessions start on the hour
Sessions are 45 minutes per booking
Additional Information
Free for departing guests
Pre booking is highly recommended to avoid inconvenience
On the day bookings can be made, dependent on availability at the time
Choose between two rooms, Room 1 designed for older children and adults, Room 2 designed for younger children
Limited to one group of six per room
How to book
Email [email protected] with the following information:
Located in Departures, our Sensory Space facility features two interactive and safe rooms designed for people of determination that wish for a calming and engaging space to relax before their flight.
The rooms feature interactive light displays, bubble tubes, soft furnishings and seating.
The Sensory Space can be found close to Gate D43, in the corridor between D-Gates and C-Gates, please follow signage towards D-Gates and Etihad Lounges.
Opening Times
Open 24/7
Sessions start on the hour
Sessions are 45 minutes per booking
Additional Information
Free for departing guests
Pre booking is highly recommended to avoid inconvenience
On the day bookings can be made, dependent on availability at the time
Choose between two rooms, Room 1 designed for older children and adults, Room 2 designed for younger children
Limited to one group of six per room
How to book
Email [email protected] with the following information:
- Name
- Date of travel
- Flight number
- Time slot required, starting on the hour
- Number of guests (Maximum 6)
- Room preference – Room 1 or Room 2
A hidden disability is a physical, mental, or neurological condition not immediately visible but that significantly impacts daily activities.
We understand that some individuals with hidden disabilities may not need assistance and prefer to navigate the airport independently.
If you need assistance, please book with your airline at least 48 hours in advance.
Hidden disabilities may include, but are not limited to:
Autism
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
ADHD
Parkinson’s
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME
Fibromyalgia
Epilepsy
Asthma or COPD
Crohn’s Disease
Long Covid
Arthritis/Dexterity issues
Multiple Sclerosis
Depression/Mental Illness
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia
We understand that some individuals with hidden disabilities may not need assistance and prefer to navigate the airport independently.
If you need assistance, please book with your airline at least 48 hours in advance.
Hidden disabilities may include, but are not limited to:
Frequently asked questions
Most airlines will open their check-in and bag drop desks 3 hours before a flight, we recommend you arrive as close to this time as possible, arriving late to check-in and bag drop can cause issue with being able to assist you to your aircraft in time for your flight.
Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require, we are aware that our blind and visually impaired guests may need varying levels of assistance, therefore please just let us know when you arrive how best we can help you. Braille is available in various areas through the terminal including lifts and toilets. Guide dogs are welcome, please see the Service Animal section of our website for more information.
Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require, we are aware that our deaf and hearing-impaired guests may need varying levels of assistance, therefore please just let us know when you arrive how best we can help you. Hearing loops are available at our Special Assistance desks in the Pre-Check-in area and mobile hearing loops are available for our teams to use when required
We are proud to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, and a Sunflower lanyard can be requested at our Special Assistance desks. Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require. Zayed International Airport has a Sensory Space facility available, please book in advance to avoid disappointment. Please see the Hidden Disabilities section of our website for more information.
Yes, you can bring a majority of prescribed medicine and medical equipment, you may need to bring a prescription or Doctors note with you for travel, please check with your airline regarding carriage rules.
This may be possible, however please check with your airline and medical practitioner as the cast may need to be split before travel to allow for swelling, or an alternative placed on. You may also be requested to provide a fitness to fly certificate by your airline.
You may be required to provide a fitness to fly certificate issued by a medical practitioner or Doctor by your airline should they be concerned for your welfare or that of others, it is also advisable to check with any travel insurance that you may have. Travel may be refused on medical grounds should concerns not be able to be fully addressed before the flight.
If you have had a contagious illness such as Chicken Pox or Covid 19 please check with your medical practitioner or Doctor that you are safe and fit to fly before attending the airport.
Please contact your airline and medical practitioner or Doctor should you have any concerns or wish to obtain further information.
If you have had a contagious illness such as Chicken Pox or Covid 19 please check with your medical practitioner or Doctor that you are safe and fit to fly before attending the airport.
Please contact your airline and medical practitioner or Doctor should you have any concerns or wish to obtain further information.
Special assistance is available 24/7 throughout the year.
Our Special Assistance teams cannot always guarantee, but will make best endeavors, to ensure you and your travelling companions/family are kept together during your journey through the airport
Most airlines will not charge for the service.
Some airlines may levy a small fee for provision of the service, you may have to pay this at the airport, please note this an airline fee and is not a fee that is implemented by the airport.
Some airlines may levy a small fee for provision of the service, you may have to pay this at the airport, please note this an airline fee and is not a fee that is implemented by the airport.
Yes, our Special Assistance teams will be able to assist you in any shops, restaurants and facilities you wish to use within the airport, however, please ensure you allow enough time to attend your gate on time for your flight. All shops, restaurants and facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Our Special Assistance teams can take you to the toilet door but will not be able to come into the toilet with you to assist, should you require assistance of this nature please ensure you travel with a companion that is able to do this for you.
Yes, you can bring your own wheelchair and stay in it to the point of boarding the aircraft, if you are arriving then your wheelchair will be brought to you for disembarking. Personal Wheelchairs, Electric Mobility Aids (EMA’s), Walking frames and other mobility equipment can be booked via your airline.
Most aircraft at Zayed International Airport will be positioned on an airbridge, meaning you can be pushed to and from the aircraft door. Should your aircraft be parked on a remote gate where an airbridge is not available, you will be assisted to the aircraft by a bus, if you are not able to walk up or down the aircraft steps a medical lift vehicle (Ambulift) will be positioned on to the aircraft to assist you in boarding or de-boarding.
If you are not able to walk to your aircraft seat our Special Assistance Team will provide an aisle chair to assist you to it, this is a small specialist chair with straps that is designed to fit down the aisle of an aircraft, the team can also assist you in and out of your seat if required.
