CDC NSW is supporting the NSW Government in the expansion of the internationally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to buses in regional NSW, further improving access to public transport.
The program gives people with non-visible disabilities like autism, dementia, chronic pain and anxiety a distinctive green and yellow sunflower-themed lanyard, badge or wristband they can wear to signal their need for assistance while using public transport.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the NSW Government was proudly making public transport in the regions more accessible for people with non-visible disabilities by supporting the Sunflower program onto regional buses.
“I congratulate the bus drivers and operators who have already embraced this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the Sunflower bloom even further across the state into the future.”
Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington, said creating a welcoming and supportive public transport system means recognising and addressing the diverse needs of all passengers, including those with hidden disabilities.
“With one in five people having a disability and 80 percent of those having hidden disabilities, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is a crucial step towards making public transport more inclusive and supportive for all.”
CDC General Manager Regional NSW & ACT, Andrew Fogg, said CDC NSW was among the first regional and outer metropolitan bus operators to be Sunflower-friendly.
“CDC drivers and customer services staff in Greater Sydney, and now NSW Mid and Far North Coasts, have been trained to recognise the official Sunflower emblem and provide appropriate support, such as helping passengers in boarding and disembarking or navigating stressful situations.
“Drivers and frontline employees in our Coffs Harbour and Ballina/Byron Bay regions now proudly wear the Sunflower Supporter badges as a discreet message to customers who may require some extra care and consideration, such as a bit more time or a helping hand.
“Regardless of whether a customer or carer opts to signal a hidden disability by wearing a HD Sunflower lanyard, wristband or badge while travelling on our services, our trained drivers are instantly identifiable by the Sunflower badge on their uniforms.
Mr Fogg said the organisation was at various stages of training staff and would finalise its NSW/ACT roll-out with the launch of the program across CDC’s Greater Canberra, Queanbeyan, and Narrabri operations in the coming weeks.
Free Sunflower lanyards can be obtained from Transport for NSW by emailing or by picking one up at any of 35 selected train stations. For more information, visit transportnsw.info/news/2023/extra-support-for-hidden-disabilities.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative supports people with a hidden disability, making the invisible, visible and helping them attain the understanding, patience and assistance needed when going about their daily lives. The Sunflower is solely distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Bayley House, a not-for-profit organisation.
