- July 2, 2021
2 July 2021 – One in five New Zealanders have a disability and 80 per cent of those are invisible ones.
People with hidden disabilities experience challenges as they travel or visit facilities around the country.
Life Unlimited Charitable Trust has linked up with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme and Australian reseller Bayley House to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme by becoming the authorised New Zealand distributor.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower started in the United Kingdom five years ago when London Gatwick Airport staff asked how they could recognise if one of their passengers had a non-obvious disability.
The answer was a lanyard with a sunflower design on a green background.
The Sunflower exists to help those with disabilities, that are not immediately obvious, such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual impairment or being hard of hearing.
The lanyard allows wearers to make their invisible challenges visible by discreetly indicating to others, including staff, colleagues, and health professionals, that they may need extra support, care, and time.
Altogether Autism offers free training to businesses wanting to welcome wearers of the Sunflower lanyards.
About the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
- The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was established in the UK in 2016. Since then, it has been adopted globally by major airports and venues, and an increasing number of small and large businesses and organisations.
- Details of how to join the scheme can be found here
