An airport can be a busy and stressful place, especially if you are unsure what to expect on the day. It is even more stressful when you or your travel companion has a disability that is not immediately obvious to airport staff – a hidden disability. Hidden Disabilities can include autism, anxiety, dementia, mental health conditions, visual impairments, deaf or hard of hearing.
We want to ensure that everyone’s journey through Gold Coast Airport is as smooth as possible, so we have implemented a program to assist you on your journey. This program caters for adults, children and their families and friends, providing a way for you to pre-plan your journey or let our staff know you may need support.
Airports are often crowded and noisy places. We have developed a terminal sensory map that identifies low, medium and high sensory areas. This can help you navigate your way through the terminal and can prepare you for crowded areas, additional noise, smells and lights. It identifies areas where you can stop and be in a quieter area if required. Gold Coast Airport offers a Low Sensory Entry, Low Sensory Amenity Block and Sensory Friendly Room. Please refer to the terminal sensory map for their locations or look for the sunflower symbol.
Written social story journeys are designed to assist people in understanding how an airport works and what to expect. The story can help you prepare for your journey. There is a journey story for our domestic and international processes.
We want all our guests at Gold Coast Airport to be as comfortable as possible, so we have created the below videos to help you prepare for your time at Gold Coast Airport. It can help to navigate your journey through the terminal.
An activity book has been created for children traveling through Gold Coast Airport. This activity book has activities that can be completed along each step of the terminal journey. There is a I-spy for children to find different things, colouring and a find a word. Checklists are also included of some of the important things we all have to do. Children can tick off when they have completed such as check-in, security checks and boarding the plane.
Gold Coast Airport’s AmbassaPAW Programme engages volunteer therapy dogs to help alleviate the stress often associated with travelling. We currently have therapy dogs available throughout the week as follows:
Tuesday: Bonnie
Wednesday: Alice
Thursday: Chappie
Friday: Lucy
If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, you can request a hidden disability lanyard. Wearing a sunflower lanyard when you are at Gold Coast Airport is a discreet way for you to indicate to our team that you may need a little extra help, guidance or time with the airport processes. Our team have been trained to recognise the lanyard and provide the assistance and support you may need.
Tips for using the hidden disabilities lanyard:
This program does not exempt passengers from normal airport procedures.
Please fill in the form to request a hidden disabilities lanyard and information pack no later than 14 days before your date of travel.
Gold Coast Airport wants to ensure that customers are able to travel as comfortably and hassle-free as possible, including passengers and guests with a disability. A Hidden Disability Guide has been produced for Gold Coast Airport and details the services and facilities available for our passengers with accessibility requirements.
Be sure to contact your airline/travel agent directly to request any specific help, including wheelchair assistance.
Visit our Airlines page for their contact information.
Other links and programs:
Should you have any general queries, you may email us at hiddendisabilities@gcal.com.au.
This program is in proud partnership with: