Adopting the Sunflower Lanyard Initiative

It is great news that Britain’s key train operators have all signed up to the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme. This initiative is designed to act as a discreet sign that the wearer of a lanyard has a hidden disability, and may require additional assistance or time to process an interaction. STM has been embracing, and actively supporting, the Hidden Disabilities scheme since the beginning of 2020, including the appointment of designated Wellbeing & Welfare Champion, Tori Rist.

STM is proud to be one of the only private security companies to train its employees in the Sunflower Lanyard Initiative. This highlights the organisational commitment to ensuring that its staff understand the need to treat those with (potentially hidden) disabilities, with an enhanced level of patience and understanding.

STM would like to encourage other organisations to adopt this initiative. All operating within the transport sector have a responsibility to help ensure that employees, and members of the public alike, are aware of the need for acceptance of, and kindness towards, those who cannot wear a face covering. This is particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has witnessed a spate of violent attacks towards those who are not wearing masks on public transport. STM highlights the undeniable fact that not all disabilities are visible.

Tori added ‘I’m so proud to be part of an organisation which is actively promoting the inclusion of disabled staff, and ensuring that this inclusive behaviour is also demonstrated to its customers’.

Be visible when you want to be
Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time.

To find out more about the initiative, please follow the link: https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/?SID=12b5b5e80c1df3d2ffbf73e06a7d3a84