Brownsville-SPI airport welcomes diversity, inclusion

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Diversity, inclusion and treating a sector of the population with more respect and dignity are now part of everyday business at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.

The aerodrome has added a new service – called Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – with the aim of providing better accessibility to people with certain disabilities.

Under it, passengers having difficulties getting in and out of the airport will get a lanyard that will identify them as needing additional attention.

“This is about having better accessibility,” Angel  Ramos, the airport newest director, said while unveiling the program on Thursday, March 28. “We want to be as inclusive as much as we can.”

Ramos said Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport is now the 2,001st such facility out of the 10,000 commercial airports in existence today.

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., said the initiative is a testament to the airport staff and seven-member board of directors.

“We are all changing the world,” Cowen said. “Together we are making a difference.”

City Manager Helen Ramirez agreed, saying everybody should be proud for the new accomplishments achieved at the airport.

Lorena Cardona, the airport’s special projects manager, said the program is now in place and anyone interested is seeking information can do so by going to: flybrownsville.com and click on the sunflower emblem.

The brief ceremony was held with the participation of a number of guests, including State Sen. Morgan LaMantia, Linda C. Macias, city commissioner for Brownsville District 2 and Sergio Zarate, co-founder of Down by the Border.

Also, a group of special needs students from a non-profit organization called Big Heroes participated in the event.

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