St. Mary’s joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program
SHERBROOKE — The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (HDS) program.
“St. Mary’s is not only the first in Nova Scotia to implement the sunflower [program], it is one of the few municipalities in Canada that is supporting our residents with hidden disabilities,” Deputy Warden James Fuller told The Journal in an email interview.
As described on its website – hdsunflower.com – the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (HDS) is “a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport or in public spaces.”
Introduced in 2016, at London Gatwick Airport, the HDS is now recognized in more than 32 countries, including Canada.
People with disabilities that may not be evident to others can display a sunflower to indicate they may need additional assistance, support, time or patience as they go about their daily activities, including work or travel.
Program participants wear green lanyards, wristbands or a lapel with sunflowers on it as a discreet indicator that they have a hidden disability, such as hearing loss or vision impairments, sensory and processing difficulties, syndromes including autism or Asperger’s, or a mental health issue, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or a personality disorder.
“While most people associate a disability with wheelchairs or canes, there are millions of people who deal every day with anxiety, diabetes or trauma caused by accidents that are not so obviously visible. Even something as routine as a long wait in a line can trigger an uncontrollable response, such as a seizure,” Fuller explained.
Statistics indicate that 27 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15 – more than eight million people – identify as having a disability.
“Having a non-obtrusive symbol for identification, with trained and caring staff who know when to ask if help or assistance is needed, starts to eliminate these barriers. Young children who may not be able to adequately verbalize that they need help can be easily identified and proper care can be provided,” he added.
More than 200 businesses and services in Canada and the United States offer this service. HSD program members have free lanyards available, including at the St. Mary’s municipal office in Sherbrooke.
Fuller noted that the idea for the municipality to join the HSD program was “completely citizen driven.”
“We are grateful for the suggestion and happier that, even in this small way, we can contribute to the health of our community,” he said.
“Speaking as someone who has a hidden disability, I cannot adequately express my gratitude for our community and the support of council in suggesting and implementing this important program.”
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Joanne Jordan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal
