At YVR, We All Belong

At YVR, we have embarked on a journey of inclusion and new ways of ensuring our airport is accessible for everyone. Our purpose is to serve our community and the economy that supports it.  This purpose drives everything we do and informs the way we look at our airport through the lens of our guests, employees and partners.  

Changing demographics, combined with an increasingly active community of people with disabilities, inspires us to create and deliver more inclusive terminal design and passenger experiences that support people of all abilities. For us, access isn’t a box to check. It’s a mandate of continual inclusion and improvement. 

YVR strives to deeply understand our guests’ and employees’ experiences by listening and working together to identify and remove barriers to accessibility. These meaningful collaborations have resulted in the implementation of the following initiatives at YVR:  

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program                        

YVR is proud to offer the globally recognized Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to support passengers with hidden disabilities, also known as invisible disabilities. The Sunflower lanyard provides a helpful identifier to airport staff to best assist and support anyone with an invisible disability. The Sunflower logo aims to assist those travelling with invisible disabilities who may need a little extra patience, care, and assistance during their travel experience. Sunflower lanyards are available for free at any of our customer care and information counters. Wearing the Sunflower lanyard is voluntary.  

Paper Planes Cafe                                                                               

In 2023 YVR and Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) unveiled Paper Planes Café. The latest addition to YVR’s reimagined food and beverage offering, Paper Planes Café is an inclusive and accessible coffee bar and the first of its kind at a Canadian airport. The staff at Paper Planes Café include a team of individuals of different abilities from the neurodiverse community. The team will prepare and serve an array of coffee, hot drinks, and quick snacks for the millions of passengers who travel through YVR as well as thousands of employees and guests, creating inclusive employment opportunities and elevating the travel experience at YVR. 

Employee Training and Resources 

YVR is committed to providing an authentic airport experience to all guests while reducing travel barriers and creating a less stressful and more predictable environment. We achieve this by providing our staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the needs of every guest, including those with disabilities, ensuring that everyone has a great experience. Our training aims to go above and beyond, ensuring that at YVR, we all belong.  From our comprehensive Arrivals program for new employees to specialized Neurodiverse Awareness Training with Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), we prioritize understanding and meeting the needs of all guests. Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations to include fostering a culture of respect and understanding. At YVR, accessibility is ingrained in our culture and operations, ensuring that every passenger feels valued and supported throughout their journey.  

For more information on YVR’s Accessibility initiatives visit: www.yvr.ca/accessibility