Fostering Inclusion Across Our Islands with Sunflowers in Cayman

The Challenges of Hidden Disabilities

For most people, a trip to the supermarket, an evening out to a concert or sports event, or travelling overseas through a busy international airport is a normal occurrence, perhaps requiring a little planning and organisation, but not an experience that presents people with major challenges.

For those with disabilities, navigating public spaces can be difficult. Flights of stairs, escalators and the sheer size of some large public spaces like airports can be a challenge for people with mobility issues. The need to read signs to get to your destination or carry out your task can be extremely difficult for the visually impaired, and announcements over PA systems are unhelpful not only to the hard of hearing but also to people sensitive to loud noises, like those with autism. In extreme cases, people with disabilities may well avoid activities and public places that have not been designed to accommodate those with disabilities because the barriers and difficulties are simply too great.

Around 1 in 6 people globally live with some form of disability, that’s more than a billion people. Many disabilities are visible, someone on crutches or a wheelchair user for example, but around 80% of disabilities are thought to be non-visible and these include autism, ADHD, mental health and chronic pain. 

This is where the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (HDS) scheme comes in. HDS is a disability awareness scheme designed to help those with a non-visible disability to discreetly indicate to people around them that they may need help, more time or an empathetic communication style, through the wearing of a sunflower lanyard. "The sunflower symbol is becoming globally recognised as a way for the wearer to communicate that ‘support and help is welcome—please feel free to ask me if I appear in need’", states Deirdre Billes, Chairperson of the Sunrise Caring Association. This organisation is embarking on a nationwide push to have the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower recognised across the Cayman Islands.

The scheme began life in London Gatwick Airport in 2016 when airport staff came together to discuss how they could better support passengers with hidden disabilities to use the airport and the sunflower lanyard was born. A sunflower was chosen to represent happiness, positivity, strength and growth and within a year the scheme had been rolled out across all major UK airports with banks, supermarkets, NHS facilities and train stations following suit. 

The scheme has been a worldwide success with thousands of businesses across every continent committing to help customers with hidden disabilities by training their staff to support those in need. The Cayman Islands Airport Authority has joined the programme and it now operates at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport in Cayman Brac, and it is already having an impact. “We’ve experienced shorter wait times, more compassionate communication, and greater understanding throughout the airport journey. It’s a small change that’s having a big impact”, said one local parent.

Sunflowers in Cayman

Now the Sunrise Caring Association is on a mission to make Cayman a more inclusive place for everyone with a disability. They are encouraging the Cayman Islands Government, private businesses, churches, schools and social organisations to participate in this worthy scheme, by training their staff on how to support those with hidden disabilities to use their facilities with confidence and independence.

The Sunrise Caring Association is a charitable organisation that supports and raises funds for users of the Sunrise Adult Training Centre (SATC), a government-operated centre that supports adults with additional needs. Since 1986 the SATC has been helping adults with additional learning needs to find employment, empowering them to maximise their independence, potential and quality of life.

Thanks to the generosity of local supporters, including Ocorian, Maples FS, the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange and Mr David Gordon, the Sunrise Caring Association has raised funds to purchase lanyards to give freely to people in Cayman who wish to participate. The next phase of their worthy endeavour is to encourage local uptake.

Tamara Ebanks, Chief Officer of the Ministry of Social Development and Innovation, explained that “by adopting the sunflower and offering training programmes on Island, we’re fostering a culture of compassion and inclusion, ensuring that everyone in our community feels seen, supported and valued.”

The beauty of the sunflower scheme is in its simplicity and yet the impact is far-reaching, empowering everyone in the Cayman Islands to participate fully in the community with the full support and compassion of those around them. You might call it the definition of Caymankind.