Not all disabilities are visible – some are hidden and not immediately obvious, such as learning difficulties, mental health as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments. Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many people, but it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge or understand the challenges you face.
Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time.
Every April, millions of people around the world mark Earth Day to show support for the environment, highlighting the urgent action we need to take to save our planet. As the climate crisis becomes ever more serious, each Earth Day that comes along takes on extra significance.
Many of us have probably heard of the disability employment gap - the gap that exists between the percentage of all people employed, 81.3%*, and the percentage of disabled people in employment, currently 52.1%*. That's a big disparity, right. What you may not be aware of is just how wide the gap gets when you look at the statistics for people on the autism spectrum. According to the Office for National Statistics' Outcomes for disabled people in the UK report, only 21.7% of people with autism are in any form of employment, the lowest employment rate of any disability category. That's not a gap, that's a chasm.
Daniel is profoundly deaf and has cochlear implants. In this interview Dan tells us why he chooses to wear the Sunflower how it benefits him.
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. This year the World Health Organisation has decided upon the theme 'Hearing care for all!' to raise awareness of how hearing loss can be prevented through protection against loud sounds, good ear-care practices and immunisation. Hearing can also be rehabilitated, if caught early and appropriate care and treatment is sought. World Hearing Day serves as a reminder to all that are at risk of hearing loss to make sure that they attend regular hearing checks with a health care provider.
We are thrilled to announce that the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has today launched in the Netherlands and Belgium, our first stronghold in mainland Europe.
This means that people living with a hidden disability in these regions will now have easier access to the Sunflower. With both a local representative and a dedicated, country specific website, which can be accessed in Dutch, we are better equipped to support both our Sunflower wearers and the organisations that support the initiative in these areas.
