See the Sunflower, Show your Support: Launching our Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

Some disabilities aren’t immediately obvious. For example, neurodiverse conditions, mental health conditions, hearing loss and reproductive health issues. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they are not there.

For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone, with a “non-visible” condition genuinely needs support. 

As part of our wider commitment to creating an inclusive workplace at Sage, we’re helping to make the invisible visible with our, ‘See the Sunflower, show your support’ Hidden Disabilities scheme.

Through this, we’re highlighting the importance of showing patience, empathy and respect for personal boundaries, and to communicate clearly with those wearing a lanyard.

“I know how crucial it is to have an environment where people don’t have to justify their needs repeatedly or feel isolated. The sunflower lanyard helps open conversations and removes barriers for those who might otherwise struggle in silence.” 

Kerry Walsh, Colleague Experience & Operations Coordinator.

What is a hidden disability?

While some of us experience a disability that is visible, many of us have a non-visible disability that is not immediately apparent to others.  At last count there were over 900 invisible disabilities recorded. These can be temporary, situational or permanent. They can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual, auditory and including sensory and processing difficulties. They also include respiratory, rare diseases and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes.  

What is the sunflower indicator? 

As diverse as these conditions are, so are the individual access needs of our colleagues with hidden disabilities and the barriers they face in their daily lives. At Sage our colleagues can opt to wear the Sunflower indicator to discreetly be seen at work and receive the support they need in any given moment.

Allies have been empowered, when they see someone wearing a sunflower indicator, to remember the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme principles:

• Ask how you can help
• Be clear and direct
• Be patient
• Respect personal boundaries
• Do not judge or make assumptions
• Show empathy and respect