April marks Autism Understanding Month, including World Autism Awareness Day (2 April) - a time to build understanding, reduce stigma and celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent people.
The Benevolent Society is proud to participate in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, helping create more inclusive environments and stronger support for people with hidden (or non-visible) disabilities.
The Sunflower Program
The Sunflower Program is an internationally recognised initiative that supports people with non‑visible disabilities. Wearing a sunflower‑themed item, such as a lanyard or pin, allows individuals to discreetly signal that they may need extra time, understanding or assistance in public spaces.
The voluntary program promotes inclusion and is widely adopted across Australia in sectors including healthcare, education, government, retail and transport. Hidden disabilities are not immediately apparent and can include physical, mental health, neurological and sensory conditions such as chronic pain, autism, ADHD, anxiety, hearing loss or cognitive impairments.
Growing Sunflower support
Benevolent’s Tegan Bienke (they/them), an Early Childhood Teacher in Acacia Ridge, has found the program makes people with hidden disabilities feel accepted and understood.
“I'm really proud that Benevolent is so supportive and open to these kinds of supports for people with hidden disabilities,” said Tegan. “Every member of my team was happy to do the training and understand why the Sunflower symbol is important and who it is important too. It makes me so proud of the team I work with,” said Tegan.
Image above: Tegan smiling.
After a successful pilot in Queensland, Benevolent is rolling out Sunflower Program training across the organisation to strengthen awareness and support for hidden disabilities.
“I believe adding the Sunflower Program training into our induction process would help those joining Benevolent to understand what the lanyard means and how our organisation and teams support those with hidden disabilities,” added Tegan.
“I think having the Sunflower lanyard information more accessible, especially in a big organisation such as ours will go a long way to keep it in the front of people's minds and support their understanding of the needs of those with hidden disabilities.”
Building awareness
Wearing the Sunflower lanyard has increased Tegan’s confidence in public spaces and the workplace. It offers reassurance during moments of anxiety, sensory overload or when communication can be difficult, and provides a simple way to start conversations about what they may need.
People with hidden disabilities can personalise their lanyard with keychains, charms or information, using it as a practical communication tool.
“The other day in public when I was beginning to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated, I realised I didn't have the lanyard with me,” said Tegan. “I began to feel anxious that I would become non-verbal without a way to signal that I would need extra time or support in public due to my autism and ADHD. I have now attached extra keychains that read: ‘overstimulated’, ‘stuck in indecision’ and ‘currently non-verbal' to help support me if this happens again.”
Over the coming months, Benevolent will continue embedding Sunflower Program training for employees, including new-starter onboarding, a Neurodivergent Awareness session for staff with NeuroEdge, and additional resources such as office posters.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career at Benevolent, click here.