TWO Whitsunday businesses have joined the growing number of organisations signing up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
The Sunflower Program is an international initiative that helps individuals with non-visible disabilities, through discreetly signaling they may need additional assistance, patience or understanding.
People who have a disability that is not immediately apparent do this by wearing a sunflower symbol on a lanyard, wristband, badge or lapel pin.
SeaLink Marine & Tourism, who own Red Cat Adventures and Whitsunday Jetski Tours, and Whitsunday Coast Airport have both joined the program in recent months.
Designed to help approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide who live with a disability, the program acknowledges that many conditions – whether neurological, cognitive, physical or sensory-related – can impact individuals in various ways and often remain unseen.
Through this initiative, SeaLink aims to empower guests who may need extra support to engage fully in their travel experience.
“As one of Australia’s largest marine and tourism operators, the SeaLink Marine & Tourism family welcomes more than 9 million people annually on our various experiences across 21 locations, where our goal is to provide brilliant, memorable and positive experiences to all our guests,” SeaLink Marine & Tourism CEO Donna Gauci said.
“Joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program strengthens our commitment to diversity and inclusion across our brands and locations.
“We’re genuinely excited to join this initiative in many of our business units in 2025, ensuring every one of our guests feels supported when visiting and experiencing Australia’s iconic holiday destinations or getting wherever they need to go.”
With 1 in 5 Australians identifying as having a disability, it is estimated that 80 to 85 percent are not identifiable by the use of a wheelchair, walking stick, hearing aid or seeing-eye dog etc.
Whitsunday Coast Airport has also adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, marking the airport’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing a welcoming travel experience for all passengers.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins applauded the airport’s proactive approach to inclusivity.
“The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is a fantastic step forward in making our community and facilities more accessible and understanding for everyone,” he said.
“It’s heartening to see the Whitsunday Coast Airport team leading the way in this space and demonstrating their dedication to providing a supportive environment for passengers with hidden disabilities.”
Airport staff have undergone specialised training to better understand and implement the program.
The training equips staff with the knowledge and tools to recognise the sunflower symbol and provide the appropriate support to passengers who may require it.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia/NZ director Justin Bruce said travelling with a hidden disability can be difficult for many people.
“It can also be difficult for staff to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges travellers face,” he said.
“Wearing the Sunflower icon will help to discreetly indicate to the trained airport staff that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need additional help or simply more time.
“Congratulations to the Whitsunday Coast Airport for working to ensure that the facilities are more inclusive for everyone and we thank them for becoming part of the ever growing Sunflower community.”
Mayor Collins encourages local residents and businesses to learn about the initiative and how it can make a real difference for those in the community.
“Whether you’re travelling or simply want to support someone you know, the sunflower symbol is a simple yet powerful way to promote kindness and understanding,” he said.
To further promote the initiative, Whitsunday Coast Airport has updated its website to include information about the program under its accessibility section.
For more information about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and how you can participate, visit https://hdsunflower.com/au/.
