NSW Teachers Federation is now part of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, an initiative to empower people with hidden disabilities in public and the workplace.
Teachers Federation House in Surry Hills was awash in Hidden Disabilities Sunflower’s distinctive yellow-and-green for a launch party held today (Wednesday), also marking United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Started in 2016 as a way to benefit people with non-visible disabilities at Gatwick Airport in England, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is now a multinational project that counts stadiums, airlines, universities, public transport authorities, businesses and England’s National Health Service among its members.
Since starting in Australia in 2020, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has partnered with sports clubs, local councils, government service providers and hotel chains.
People increasingly use Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards to signal that they have non-visible disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses. Whether it’s boarding public transport, navigating purchases or crowds, gaining access to toilet facilities or carrying heavy items, a Sunflower lanyard is a simple and non-intrusive visual signal that someone may be in need of assistance.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia and New Zealand head of business development Sandee Facy was on-hand to congratulate Federation on adopting the Sunflower lanyard in its workplace.
She shared a story of a man in another workplace who used his Sunflower lanyard to disclose to his colleagues that he had limited peripheral vision.
“At our launch, he said, ‘I’ve worked here for 17 years. If you’ve ever walked past me in the hallway and I haven’t said ‘hello’, it’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because I don’t see you,” Facy said.
“It was such a profound moment, and one that this program was created for.”
Disability Officer John Skene said the program had inspired many of Federation’s staff to be more open about their non-visible disabilities in the workplace.
“We’ve heard from many staff who’ve shared their own stories and lived experiences, and of how this program has helped them find their voice,” Skene said.
“It’s really valuable for those of us who don’t have hidden disabilities to hear those stories and learn more about how we can help.”
Federation General Secretary Maxine Sharkey called on members to “spread the word” and take up the cause.
“Wouldn’t it be great if the Australian union movement took this up more broadly? I’d love to see Sunflower paraphernalia in all our union spaces,” Ms Sharkey said.
Head to the Hidden Disabilities website for more information about the Sunflower network.