How the Sunflower Lanyard helps families move with confidence
Hazel Lim··5 min read
Not every disability is visible. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower gives families a gentle way to signal that they may need a little extra patience, without having to explain themselves each time they step out of the door.
A quiet signal, not a label
Wearing the sunflower is completely voluntary. It does not say what someone's disability is, and no one has to prove anything to wear it. It simply lets the people around you know that a little more understanding might help.
Since the scheme launched in 2016 it has spread around the world. More than 200 airports, along with shops, transport, and healthcare settings, now recognise the sunflower and train their staff to respond with care.
Why we made ours bilingual
Awareness of the scheme is still low within UK Chinese communities, even though it could make everyday life easier. So we worked with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to create a bilingual HDS × CACIC lanyard, designed with Chinese-speaking families in mind.
What the lanyard helps with
- Moving through shops, transport, and appointments with less stress
- Being met with patience instead of judgement
- Asking for help without language becoming a barrier
How to get one
The lanyard is offered on a donation basis. When you give to support the campaign, we send you one as a thank you, and your gift helps us run awareness work across the community. You can reach us any time at hello@chineseautism.org.uk.
