What is the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities?
At airports, supermarkets, venues and even music festivals, you may have noticed people wearing a green lanyard with bright yellow sunflowers. This is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – a symbol being adopted across the world to help make public spaces more inclusive and supportive. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a voluntary way for people to discreetly communicate they have a condition that’s not visible to others. Wearing a sunflower lanyard can help people with hidden disabilities have a safer, more confident experience when travelling, working or participating in the community. Making invisible disabilities visible. A hidden or invisible disability is one that isn’t obvious to others. This can include autism, anxiety, dementia, hearing or vision loss, epilepsy, chronic pain and sensory processing difficulties. The sunflower lanyard subtly tells people: “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.” The sunflower design is most often worn as a lanyard (around the neck) but can also appear on a pin or card. Wearing this is a signal that a person may need a little extra time, patience, space or support. It does not identify a person’s specific disability. Businesses and venues that promote the sunflower often have trained staff on