Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is operated by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited, a private company based in the UK. The company was created in 2016 to help people with hidden disabilities navigate and find help in public places, by providing sunflower lanyards to provide for people with hidden disabilities to signal their need for extra help in public.^[1]

The scheme uses the sunflower as a symbol for disability

History

The scheme was created in 2016 by Gatwick Airport and various charities.^[2] In April 2019, London North Eastern Railway became the first railway company to recognize the scheme. By July 2020, all British railway companies had adopted the sunflower lanyard scheme as a means for passengers to let staff members know they may need more assistance.^[3]

List of non-visible disabilities

Hidden disabilities currently lists 912 disabilities, and is open to expanding the list.^[4][5]

Distribution

Sunflower lanyards and badges can be obtained for free at participating venues or purchased directly from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower company website.

Usage

Sunflower necklace worn with colorful infinity symbol and puzzle necklaces

The sunflower lanyards are intended to let staff members know that the wearer has a hidden disability and as a result may take longer or need extra assistance. Staff members are trained to spot the lanyards and help the wearer.^[6]

Abuse of lanyards

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower have criticized the resale of their products at inflated costs, and the sale of counterfeit products on websites including Amazon and eBay.^[7]

While some with hidden disabilities may be medically exempt from wearing a face covering.^[8], there were concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic that the lanyards were being abused by non-disabled people solely for the purposes of avoiding wearing a face covering. Such usage has been criticized by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, who have stated that only people who consider themselves to have a hidden disability (whether diagnosed or not) should wear the lanyard.^[9]

International adoption

The scheme is being adopted internationally not only by airports, railways, hotels and other transport related organizations, but also by other organizations including, for example, universities, sports clubs, sports statiums, financial organizations, and more.^[10] Hidden Disabilities also offer an interactive route planner on their website.^[11]

The list is constantly expanding It has now been adopted by airports in Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Caribbean, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, The Netherlands, UAE and the USA, as well as in the UK.^[12]

In 2024, Lego announced that they have partnered with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to produce minifigures with the sunflower lanyard.^[13]

Following are just a few examples of scheme participants.

Asia

In Hong Kong, it has been adopted by Hong Kong International Airport^[14] as well as by HSBC Bank.^[15]

North America

Airports in the United States that have adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower include Tulsa International Airport^[16] and Central Illinois Regional Airport.^[17]

In Canada, airports that have adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower include Montréal-Trudeau International Airport^[18] and Vancouver International Airport.^[19]

South America

In July 2023, Brazil sanctioned Law No. 14,624, which recognizes the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower as the national symbol for hidden disabilities.^[20] This law amends the Brazilian Law for the Inclusion (disability rights) (13.146/15) to provide for the use of the Sunflower lanyard by people with hidden disabilities.^[21][22]