Author: Community Forum
In the run up to Christmas we feel it’s the perfect time to launch our “Sunflower Lanyard Awareness Campaign”.
The new Community Forum committee is launching an information campaign to help unite the community and spread awareness of hidden disabilities. This campaign will run until April 25, but we hope it can change attitudes for life.
What is the sunflower lanyard?
The sunflower lanyard is a worldwide recognized symbol of hidden disabilities. It is a simple tool for people to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that they may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces. It can be worn by anyone who would like service providers and the general public to be aware that they have a hidden disability.
After some research we have discovered that less than 10% of our community are aware of or know the sunflower lanyard exists and what it means. We would like to flip that and by the end of our campaign we would like to see that over 90% are aware.
Who is our campaign aimed at?
1. It is aimed at anyone with a hidden disability and their carers.
We would like anyone with a hidden disability that feels they may benefit from the public’s awareness of the lanyard to feel comfortable using it.
The Sunflower Lanyards are available in several prominent locations spread across the town free of charge, should anyone feel they could benefit from wearing one. The list of locations are: The Post Office, Fishers, Red Eye Coffee, The Parkview Hotel, Adrian Dunne Pharmacy, The Pilates Studio, Dunnes Stores, The Primary Care Centre, Newtownmountkennedy Area Sports Development, Newtown Primary School, Woodstock Educate Together School, Cali Special class, Eugenes Food Store and the Wicklow Wolf Taproom.
2. It is aimed at businesses and services providers in the community.
Maybe if not already in place you may inform your staff about the lanyard and ask them to give a little extra help, time or space to the wearer. More information is available on HDS – Global _ https://hdsunflower.com/…/the-hidden-disabilities…
We would like Newtownmountkennedy to become a place where all people with hidden disabilities feel comfortable, welcome and supported.
3. And most importantly to us the general public.
We would like the whole community to recognise that anyone wearing the lanyard has a disability that is not necessarily visible. Having a hidden disability can be very challenging.
So if you see someone wearing the lanyard, please be kind and give them extra time or space. It may be the best thing you do that day and you never know the positive effect it could have on that person’s life.