Hidden disabilities at Miami airport
MIA's Sunflower lanyard, how to request one by email, the sensory rooms, visual paging, sign language by video, Aira for low vision, and the MIAair practice trips.
Ask MIA for a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard before you fly. It quietly tells airport staff you may need more time or have extra questions. Email [email protected] with your full name and the postal address it should go to. Allow 7 business days for delivery in the US, or 14 elsewhere. The lanyard doesn’t get you through lines faster. For wheelchair service or other help from your airline, you still ask the airline.
What MIA offers
| For | What MIA offers | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Autism, anxiety and sensory overload | Two multi-sensory rooms, after security in Concourse D and the H–J connector, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Walk in. Our guide to the sensory rooms at MIA shows which is nearer your gate. |
| Practicing the trip | MIAair, a dress rehearsal of check-in, security and boarding | Register on MIA’s MIAair page to be added to a future tour |
| Deaf and hard of hearing travelers | Visual paging on gate screens, and a video sign language interpreter | For a page, have someone call MIA on 305-876-7000. For an interpreter, look for staff in blue uniforms, who connect you through the Martti app. |
| Blind and low-vision travelers | Aira, free while you’re at MIA | Use the Aira app. A remote agent helps you find your way and read flight screens. |
| Screening | TSA Cares | Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly |
Where a visual page shows up
When MIA’s operator sends a page, the message appears on screens in five kinds of place:
- one of the two screens at each departure gate
- every fourth screen behind the check-in counters
- half the screens at each baggage belt
- the message board at the J international arrivals information counter
- the message board at the D international arrivals exit
On the day
- Wear the lanyard where staff can see it. MIA says taking part is voluntary.
- Plan the sensory-room stop into your arrival time. Our guide to how early to arrive at MIA works out that time from your airline’s check-in area, concourse and checkpoint hours. Our terminal guide shows which concourse your gate is in.
- Arriving from abroad, you can ask for help in the Customs line by filling in MIA’s Customs accessibility lane form at least 48 hours before you land. At Customs, give your name to a Miami-Dade Aviation Department employee. The lane doesn’t guarantee faster service.
- Wheelchair service comes through your airline. Our wheelchair assistance listing shows MIA’s 10 charging stations.
- If you feel unwell, MIA’s own advice for any emergency, medical included, is to call 9-1-1. Our medical and first-aid listing gives the direct numbers for Airport Fire Rescue and the airport police.
If something goes wrong
A problem with the airport’s own services goes to MIA’s ADA coordinator on 305-869-1859. MIA says it acknowledges a complaint within five business days and responds within 15. Problems with an airline, or with its wheelchair service, go to that airline.