A Small Lanyard Can Drive a Big Shift in Accessibility
After a seamless travel experience using the Sunflower Lanyard, one parent reflects on inclusion, hidden disabilities, and what municipalities need to do next.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
As the Paralympics have just ended, it’s a great time to acknowledge the work and triumph of persons living with disabilities. It’s wonderful to witness their success and we can take pride in our athletes, becoming more aware of how much persons with disabilities can accomplish when properly supported.
And it’s clear that the sports community works to find equity for all who want to participate. Our communities and political arenas should take note.
I recently had the privilege of going on a trip to Europe with my middle child, who has hidden disabilities. As a parent, I find myself mentally preparing as we head out into the world together.
You have a mental folder where you keep phrases and speeches that can be pulled out and used in each situation.
“I’m sorry they are visually impaired and require verbal direction.”
“I’m sorry, they don’t do well in crowds and need some space”
“I’m sorry, can you explain that again? They don’t process information the same as the rest of us.”
As a Canadian, the apologies come easily. But the unknown potential reactions of the people you may encounter creates stress and anxiety.
When your children are adults, it doesn’t go away, either. You are their parent. You will always advocate for them and help them navigate the world.
This trip was no different. This child had never flown before. Complete honesty? I had no idea if I was going to be able to get them on a plane. There were so many steps between home and the air. So many places where emotional and mental tragedy could strike and our whole trip could come to a screeching halt.
I did my homework, completed the paperwork, prepared the child, practiced my mental toolkit of speeches. This was the trip of a lifetime, and I wasn’t going to have it derailed due to lack of effort and preparation on my part.
In my research, I learned about the Sunflower Lanyard program. I had heard of it before, but didn’t know a lot about it.
In a Facebook group about this program, I was encouraged to ask for assistance at the airport… so I did. Assistive services directed us to a desk where my child was given a lanyard.
We proceeded to security. As we approached, two airport employees saw the lanyard and directed us to a quieter line. When the security officers saw the lanyard, I saw a physical change in their body language. They were calm, careful, and took their time explaining every step.
My child passed through each step of the process to get from there to the plane with ease. Not once did I have to use my mental toolkit. Not once did I have to explain anything, or even assist them at all.
It was like the clouds opened and sunlight streamed through while angels sang. I felt lighter, calmer and actually able to focus on my own stuff.
And so onward we continued, through multiple countries and modes of transportation. Everywhere we went, employees saw the lanyard and reacted with empathy and kindness. This required no speeches, no defensiveness, no overt advocacy. Just support and care.
I was surprised, then, to learn there was significant resistance to this program in Cambridge recently.
Upon our return from our trip, the internet led me to a TikTok video by @Advocacy with Abbey, in which she addressed Cambridge Councilor Adam Cooper’s response to Councilor Corey Kimpson’s Sunflower Lanyard program proposal. Though that council initially approved a staff report to look into the program, the municipality pulled back its support.
Training costs of up to $20,000 and the burden on staff scared Cooper and his peers away.
“There’s nothing ‘feel-good’ about the need for accessibility and inclusivity,” Kimpson said in response to Cooper’s reasoning. “There’s nothing ‘feel-good’ about needing to do it. It’s something that we should be providing already. The Sunflower Program does not require staff to do anything that they shouldn’t already be doing by treating people with kindness, compassion and patience.”
We have all seen videos and hear stories of people “going off” or “having a mental breakdown” in public spaces, often requiring police or medical intervention. There are 1.3 billion people in the world living with some form of disability, and many are not visible to the naked eye.
Of course there are costs to implementing new ways to accommodate people in our communities. But what cost savings could be achieved though the program? Unfortunately, Cambridge residents may never know.
What about here in Grey-Bruce? Maybe we should find out.
Here’s what HDSunflower.com says about the program:
“The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is here every day of the year to support people living with non-apparent disabilities in their communities by raising awareness, training businesses and sharing stories to help create a more inclusive, understanding society.”
I think it explains what they do perfectly. Training is a key part of the work. They have information for individuals to educate them and encourage the businesses they patronize to be welcoming spaces.
As advocates, we need to speak out, tell our stories, and show the greater community what a saving grace this type of training can be. Accommodating hidden disabilities isn’t a dispensable line item on a budget. It opens doors throughout the community — and beyond.
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