Visitors will find a sunflower decal on the entrances of Visit Quad Cities' Davenport Union Station and Moline River Station Destination Centers, signaling their partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
Since 2016, the Sunflower Program has served as a discreet symbol for individuals with non-visible disabilities around the globe. Those participating may wear a sunflower pin or lanyard to indicate the possible need for extra support or understanding.
With Visit Quad Cities locations being Sunflower-friendly, staff are now trained to recognize and support visitors who are dawning the sunflower symbol.
This partnership establishes Visit Quad Cities' Davenport Center as the first Sunflower-friendly location in Iowa. Visit Quad Cities Director of Brand and Content Strategy Katrina Keuning said this collaboration is a milestone for both Visit Quad Cities and the community.
"We're just hopeful that getting more eyes on it and getting more attention to things like the Sunflower Program will just inspire other businesses, organizations and entities to join in," Keuning said. "How wonderful would it be if the Quad Cities and, on the Iowa side and the Illinois side, if we were the destination of inclusivity?"
The Sunflower program serves anyone with a disability that may not be apparent to others, including vision and hearing loss, chronic health conditions and cognitive impairments.
The movement continues to grow in tourism, transportation, healthcare and retail services.
"The Quad Cities and the way we're positioned here as the destination marketing organization, we have a role in creating an inclusive and accessible environment," Keuning said. "We want our destination to be a place where everybody can thrive, and joining the Sunflower Program was just a natural way for us to make some progress there."