Making the invisible visible

It is great to be able to share we are now using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to support and raise awareness of those living with a non-visible disability. From today, the Sunflower lanyards, badges and wristbands are being introduced around OP, so you may see people wearing them in a variety of ways.

Here's what they mean:

If the person is wearing lanyard, wristband, or badge that is mainly GREEN: it means they want you to know that they have one (or more) of the over 900 different invisible disabilities that affect around 1 in 6 people in Aotearoa. Wearing the sunflower symbol lets you know that they might need assistance, or a little more time and understanding.

If the person is wearing a lanyard, wristband, or badge that is mainly WHITE: this means they have completed the Hidden Disabilities training (which involves watching a 7:36min long video), and want you to know they understand what the sunflower means to those wearing it.

Come and see us at Student Success if you'd like to grab a Sunflower item - one per person at present. You'll need to have watched the training video to get the supporter items.

Please note - you will need to be able to provide OP ID that shows you are a kaimahi or ākonga with us to get your item.

Kaimahi: If you would like your team to have access to the training video, please email stacey.harris@op.ac.nz - we will upload it to Tūhono asap, but for now, it will be emailed out. From there you can watch it individually, or watch it at a team meeting.

If you would someone there to answer any questions you may have in a team meeting, email me to arrange.

Find out more about the Sunflower at hiddendisabilitiesstore.com or any of these sites:

https://www.facebook.com/HiddendisabilitiesANZ/