A simple green band decorated with sunflowers will transform the experience of many visitors to LEGO House, the play centre and the birthplace of Lego in Billund, Denmark. From 1st June, people with hidden disabilities can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard to inform staff and other visitors that they may need additional time, understanding, patience or support.
LEGO House is joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative to boost inclusivity for those who may find visiting tourist attractions stressful. This includes people with invisible disabilities such as autism, Alzheimer's, anxiety, mental health conditions, chronic pain, ADHD or PTSD.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower’s regional director Stine Ringvig Marsal said: “Everyone knows someone who struggles with something that no one can see.” Recalling the introduction of the Sunflower at Copenhagen airport, he added: “We even had employees who, after 19 years of employment, suddenly dared to tell their colleagues that they were dyslexic or were living with ADHD.
“It is really amazing that an organization like LEGO House goes all in on the Sunflower. It is going to mean so much for so many.”
Head of people and culture at LEGO House, Sanne Louise Forsberg Hansen, echoed these sentiments, saying: “The Sunflower is just such a fine solution that can take our work with inclusion to completely new heights. Our employees get some concrete tools and the guests know that they are welcome and we really want to do our best, no matter what challenges they may have.”
Dorte Nørregaard, head of The Knowledge Center on Disability shared their enthusiasm: “If you have an invisible disability, there is no doubt that it gives peace of mind to know that employees know what an invisible disability is and are trained to support Sunflower wearers visit attractions and supermarkets. We hope that many other companies will be inspired and also embrace the Sunflower.”
The Sunflower initiative is spreading to Denmark following its success in the UK, where it is widely used by airports, venues, supermarkets, public transport providers, leisure facilities, the NHS, a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of businesses and organisations.
The sunflower was first adopted in 2016 by Gatwick airport to signal that passengers might have hidden disabilities.
Its founders chose the sunflower as a symbol representing happiness, positivity, strength, growth and confidence. They also picked it as a flower that is universally understood to be gender-neutral, and it can be easily distinguished from a distance.
The initiative is part of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited, a private company based in the UK. Find more information on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.
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