The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative was marked on December 3, with Byron Shire Council taking part in the global project that recognises the International Day of People with Disability.
Byron Shire Deputy Mayor, Jack Dods, launched the initiative at the Mullumbimby Customer Service Centre last week, acknowledging those who live with ‘non visible’ or hidden disabilities.
The Sunflower Initiative, according to the Council media release, ‘trains staff within organisations to wear “sunflower” lanyards as a recognisable symbol of support for people with hidden or invisible disabilities.’
The Deputy Mayor said, ‘This might look like a small thing, but it’s a big and important initiative, and it’s a message to everyone who faces life every day with a hidden disability,’
‘We see you; we acknowledge you and we’re here to support you.’
This Initiative of utilising a visual aid, allows individuals to recognise and respond to situations in a sensitive manner.
The Deputy Mayor said, ‘Hidden and invisible disabilities affect huge numbers of people in our community, and their carers, and can be as diverse as things like dementia, autism, and chronic illnesses.’
‘They are disabilities that probably affect most of us, or someone we love, at some stage.’
He said, ‘We are rolling out the training across our public facing roles to begin with and our plan is to train all Council staff over the next six to 12 months.’
‘We are really pleased to be joining other Councils around Australia in what is a global movement to make sure everyone’s right to feel seen and safe is supported.’
Members of the Byron Shire Council can be seen wearing the sunflower lanyards at the Sandhills Early Childhood Centre, the Lone Goat Gallery, the Mullumbimby Customer Service Centre, and the Cavanbah Centre.
Global Impacts
According to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower’s website, one in six people (approximately 1.3 billion people) live with a disability, and only 17 per cent of people living with a disability were born with their disability.
They state that ‘Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it is not there.’
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has had a wide spread influence since their launch in 2016. Expanding over Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, the UAE and the USA, the launch of the Sunflower initiative has had companies from every industry join the global Sunflower network since its inception in 2016.
‘The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.’
Why The Sunflower?
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower explains the implementation of the Sunflower, ‘Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily barriers faced by people living with an invisible disability. We searched for a discreet sign that is clearly visible from a distance as well as being distinctive, joyful, and dynamic.’
The spread of the Initiative continues to branch across companies and countries. The Sunflower Initiative launched by Byron Shire Council on International Day of people with Disability has shed light on hidden disabilities.
‘We thank our amazing Access Consultative Working Group members for bringing this important initiative to us to support and raise awareness of hidden disability,’ the Deputy Mayor said.
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