We’re excited to share the news that we’ve joined Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which supports individuals with non-visible disabilities. The Sunflower indicates that the wearer may need additional understanding or support. By joining Sunflower, we’re promoting awareness and encouraging a more compassionate and considerate workplace, opening up conversations about disability and in turn helping foster a more understanding society.
What is a Hidden Disability?
Globally,one in six of us live with a disability. And of those, it is estimated that up to 80% are living with a non-visible disability; that’s over 1 billion people. These can be temporary, situational or permanent. They can be neurological, cognitiveor neurodevelopmental, as well as physical, visual, auditory, as well as sensory and processing difficulties. They also include respiratory, rare diseases and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes.
Collect a Sunflower Badge
You can collect a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower badge by heading to the reception teams in Poole House (Talbot Campus) or Bournemouth Gateway Building (Lansdowne Campus). You can also collect a badge from the Additional Learning Support (ALS) team at The Hub in Poole House.
They are a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediatelyapparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time. By collecting a Sunflower badge, you’re welcome to wear it outside BU as well, where it’s recognised at numerous Sunflower-friendly locations across the UK.
Ask ‘how can I help?’
The Sunflower symbol encourages us to ask a simple question ‘How can I help you? Listen carefully, allow time for responses, and always show empathy and respect without asking why they are wearing it. Seeing someone wear the Sunflower is a gentle reminder that we can all play a role in fostering an inclusive environment. Whether it’s offering patience, assistance, or simply being more mindful, these small actions make a big difference.
Sunflower resources for students
As part of our commitment to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, we’ve added some helpful resources to the 'Disability and Wellbeing Support' pages on Brightspace, which you can access at any time. This includes useful videos about what the Sunflower is and hearing from people with lived experience.
