Some Special Needs are Obvious and Some are Not.

Some special needs are obvious, while others aren't. 

As someone who worked in aviation for several decades, I am well aware that almost all airports and airlines have special units set up to cater to travellers with obvious special needs. 

But what about some special needs that are not visible but are just as important as those that are? 

They have no physical symptoms and include learning disabilities, mental health issues, mobility issues, and speech, visual, and hearing impairments.

Asthma, COPD, PTSD, anxiety, lung conditions, chronic illnesses, renal failure, diabetes, and sleep disorders are examples of diseases that can significantly impair and impact one's day-to-day life. 

Those with such specific but obscure needs frequent airports and airlines. 

Airlines do not make money while their planes are parked, so adhering to their published schedule is critical if they want to be successful.

Time is an important factor in aviation, and their performance may be hampered when dealing with passengers who have less obvious special needs.

How can we tell if someone has a hidden but non-obvious special need?

The Hidden Special Needs Sunflower was designed and launched in 2016 after London Gatwick Airport realized that they needed some kind of early warning mechanism to avoid affecting the airport's performance due to such passengers.

A lanyard with a simple sunflower design on a green background is a subtle but visible signal to airport staff that the wearer (or someone with them) may require some extra help, time, or assistance when moving through the airport. 

Wearing the sunflower lanyard alerts others that assistance may be required. The amount of assistance required may differ from person to person. 

It could be as simple as a lack of time, comprehension, or both.

We should believe that while everyone is equal, they are not the same.

So, the next time you see someone wearing a sunflower lanyard, you'll know it's an indication and prompt intervention that could benefit both the wearer and the service being provided. 

Instead of asking what the hidden special needs are, ask how you can help. 

The Hidden Special Needs Sunflower's success and positive response have raised awareness of the challenges that both adults and children with hidden special needs can face.

Disguised Special Needs Sunflower wearers are now more widely benefiting from assistance in making their daily lives a little easier, and not only airports but also other large establishments provide this service. 

Preventing the misuse of free or minimal-cost services requires a combination of technical measures, user policies, and monitoring.

Here are some steps that can be taken:

User Registration and Verification:

Implement a registration process that requires users to provide valid contact information.

Use email or phone number verification to ensure users are legitimate.

Terms of Use and Acceptable Use Policy:

Clearly define the terms of use and an acceptable use policy for the service.

Clearly state the prohibited activities, such as misuse, fraud, harassment, etc.

Account Monitoring:

Employ automated systems to detect unusual or suspicious behaviour.

Set up alerts for unusual activities that might indicate misuse.

Rate Limiting and Usage Quotas:

Implement rate limiting to prevent excessive usage by a single user.

Moderation and Reporting:

Implement reporting mechanisms that allow to report misuse.

Have a moderation team to review and take appropriate action accordingly.

User Behavior Analysis: 

Monitor user behaviour patterns to identify suspicious or abnormal activities.

Apply machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies in user behaviour.

Authentication and Identity Verification:

Implement multi-factor authentication to ensure users are who they claim to be.

For sensitive services, consider identity verification through official documents.

Regular Audits:

Conduct periodic audits of user accounts and activities to identify and deactivate suspicious accounts.

Legal Measures:

Include clauses in your terms of use that allow you to take legal action against those who misuse your service.

Cooperate with law enforcement agencies when serious misuse occurs.

Educational Efforts:

Provide users with information about responsible and legitimate ways to use the service.

Educate users about the potential consequences of misuse.

Feedback Loops:

Encourage feedback from users about the service's performance and misuse concerns.

Use this feedback to continuously improve your anti-misuse measures.

It's important to strike a balance between preventing misuse and ensuring a positive user experience.

Overly strict measures can deter genuine users, while insufficient measures can lead to rampant misuse.

Regularly review and update your strategies based on the evolving landscape of user behaviour.