Businesses urged to support Hidden Disabilities: Sunflower lanyard scheme now available

Businesses are being encouraged to join a scheme which seeks to provide additional help or assistance for customers with a hidden disability.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard scheme has been designed to be a subtle but visible sign for people with hidden disabilities, helping to identify them as someone who may require extra help, time or assistance. It involves wearing a lanyard or carrying a card with a bright yellow sunflower placed on a green background.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing and future generations Dhanisha Patel said: “Hidden disabilities can make life more demanding for many people in certain situations.

“These lanyards and cards are for anyone who has a disability that is not immediately obvious to others.

“We would encourage both businesses to sign up to the scheme and people with hidden disabilities to carry one of the cards or wear the lanyard so that businesses and other organisations can immediately recognise that you have a hidden disability.”

The lanyards can also be used on public transport to signify that someone’s hidden disability makes them exempt from wearing a face covering.

Hidden disabilities can include learning difficulties, mental health, mobility, and speech, visual or hearing impairments. They can also include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung conditions as well as chronic illnesses such as renal failure, diabetes and sleep disorders when those diseases significantly impact day-to-day life.

Businesses can find out more on the scheme and receive a starter pack by registering on the Hidden Disabilities website here.

A number of supermarkets stock the distinctive lanyard, including Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer. Residents can also order one on the Hidden Disabilities website.