Irish Ferries Adopts ‘Lanyard’ Scheme To Assist Disabled

Irish Ferries has introduced a new scheme across its fleet offering more inclusive travel for passengers with disabilities.

The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme, which helps some passengers to travel more independently and with greater ease, also enables crew to readily identify those on-board who may require some extra help, time or assistance.

Irish Ferries staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyard and provide additional support to passengers wearing it, particularly those with conditions that may not be immediately obvious to others such as autism, chronic pain, dementia and anxiety, as well as speech, visual or hearing impairments

Nicola Hammond, Irish Ferries Customer Services Manager, said: “Ferry travel is designed to be enjoyable and it’s so important to us that all our passengers feel like their holiday has begun the moment they step onboard. We’re so delighted to be the first Irish travel operator to offer the Sunflower Lanyard to our passengers with hidden disabilities, in addition to what we offer all our passengers

“Staff members have undergone special training to recognise, understand, respect, and react to the needs of those wearing the discreet lanyard and we hope that the introduction of this initiative gives our customers a sense of independence and the confidence to travel freely on the sea with us.”

Delivered to homes in advance of journeys, or available for collection at ports prior to check-in, the hidden disability Sunflower Lanyard is completely free and reusable.

Customers with hidden disabilities, their family members, or carers traveling with them, can take advantage of the scheme by contacting disabilityofficer@irishferries.com.

The line has up to 16 sailings daily from Holyhead to Dublin and Pembroke to Rosslare.

For more information please visit www.irishferries.com/sunflowerlanyard.