In line with the strategy of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination to make Abu Dhabi an accessible city for people of determination, the organization launched the “Sunflower" initiative for hidden disabilities in cooperation with Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, under the management of Aldar Properties. The initiative seeks to help people with hidden disabilities by allowing them to wear a sunflower lanyard to distinguish them in public places, creating awareness and helping the community around them to understand their needs, treat them kindly and support them.
The "Sunflower Lanyard" is used to Identify People with Hidden Disabilities in Public Places
In line with the strategy of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination to make Abu Dhabi an accessible city for people of determination, the organization launched the “Sunflower" initiative for hidden disabilities in cooperation with Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, under the management of Aldar Properties. The initiative seeks to help people with hidden disabilities by allowing them to wear a sunflower lanyard to distinguish them in public places, creating awareness and helping the community around them to understand their needs, treat them kindly and support them.
The initiative aims to educate community members in identifying people of determination with hidden disabilities that do not have visible physical signs or symptoms, including learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, and communication disorders.
The initiative will see Yas Mall Customer Service staff providing people of determination visitors with hidden disabilities with a sunflower lanyard to wear, allowing mall patrons and staff working in shops and restaurants to recognize that the individual has a hidden disability. Sunflower Lanyards can be worn by children with hidden disabilities, their parents or adults with hidden disabilities.
Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination provided training for Yas Mall employees and supplied the sunflower lanyards so that Customer Service staff could offer them to people with hidden disabilities.
Both Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and Yas Mall publicized the launch of this initiative on their social media accounts.
Zayed Higher Organization will also reach out to People of Determination with hidden disabilities to participate in this initiative, and it will also survey the opinions of those who receive the lanyard to determine their level of satisfaction. Zayed Higher Organization will coordinate with Yas Mall to feedback on the number of people with hidden disabilities who were helped on daily basis.
The Sunflower Campaign is a global scheme for hidden disabilities that originated in the U.K. to help airport staff in identifying people with hidden disabilities. Wearing a Sunflower Lanyard helps everyone, including employees and patrons, understand that the person wearing it (or someone with them) has a hidden disability and may need additional support and assistance.
The design and colors of the lanyard represent happiness, positivity, and strength. The lanyard should only be used by individuals who have a hidden disabilities and can be used for travelling, shopping, waiting in queues, etc.
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