Accessibility is vital to supporting the core values of Highlands Council. Our organizational mission includes “showing respect in how we engage with each other’s differences.” With that in mind, we recently joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to ensure that people with less visible disabilities feel welcomed at community events and receive any additional help they need.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four Americans has a disability that impairs a significant area of their life, many of which are invisible to the human eye. “Hidden” disabilities range from physical to neurological to cognitive, and include:
- Mental health conditions – post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autoimmune diseases – diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders – fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), chronic fatigue syndrome
- Neurological Disorders – cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, dementia, epilepsy
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is a global program that allows an individual of any age with a hidden disability to wear a sunflower accessory (pin, bracelet, or lanyard) as a visual cue to staff and those around them that they may need a little extra help, accommodation or sensitivity. When traveling, you may have noticed that SeaTac Airport is a Sunflower-friendly place, along with about 200 other airports internationally.
As the first member of the Sunflower pilot program in the Inclusive Issaquah initiative, Highlands Council has sunflower program pins, bracelets, and lanyards available at no cost for anyone with a hidden disability who would like to discreetly identify themselves to our team. Simply stop by Blakely Hall during normal business hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F) or pick one up at an event. The pilot program is funded by Visit Issaquah and State of Washington Tourism.
Highlands Council staff have undergone training around hidden disabilities and the Sunflower symbol, so we are ready to provide service to members of our community who many need that extra assistance. We look forward to welcoming YOU at our next community event!
Lindsey Pinkston is the executive director of Highlands Council, and a resident of Wisteria Park.
