Sunflower Initiative launched to shine light on hidden disabilities

Published on 03 December 2024

As part of International Day of People with Disability, Byron Shire Deputy Mayor, Jack Dods, today launched Council’s Sunflower Initiative in the Mullumbimby Customer Service Centre, in recognition of the challenges faced by people living with hidden or ‘non-visible’ disabilities.

The Sunflower Initiative is a global project that trains staff within organisations to wear ‘sunflower’ lanyards as a recognisable symbol of support for people with hidden or invisible disabilities.

“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,” the Deputy Mayor said.

“We see you; we acknowledge you and we’re here to support you,” he 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,” he said.

“Hidden disabilities can be temporary, situational or permanent; they can be physical, visual or auditory – they are disabilities that probably affect most of us, or someone we love, at some stage.”

Byron Shire Council staff are already wearing the sunflower lanyards at the Mullumbimby Customer Service Centre, the Lone Goat Gallery, the Cavanbah Centre and Sandhills Early Childhood Centre.

“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 6 to 12 months,” the Deputy Mayor said.

 “We thank our amazing Access Consultative Working Group members for bringing this important initiative to us to support and raise awareness of hidden disability.

“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,” he said.