AN internationally recognised program has been introduced into the Illawarra aimed at improving access to public transport for those with a hidden disability.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program gives people with non-visible disabilities like autism, dementia, chronic pain and anxiety a distinctive green and yellow sunflower-themed lanyard they can wear to signal their need for assistance while using public transport.

Dions Bus Service in the Illawarra is among the first regional and outer metropolitan bus operators to be Sunflower-friendly.

Drivers have been trained to recognise the Sunflower lanyard and provide appropriate support, such as helping passengers in boarding and disembarking or navigating stressful situations.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park said the NSW Government has supported the expansion of the program as part of a range of measures that have improved access to public transport in regional areas including:

• The $800 million Safe Accessible Transport Program,
• The Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme; and
• The Transport Access Regional Partnerships Grant Program.

“This is a great initiative in our region, and I know this will mean a lot to members of our community who are living with hidden conditions and might need a little extra support and kindness on public transport,” Mr Park said.

Many other bus operators across the state have enrolled in the program and are at various stages of training staff, so timelines vary for when each operator will offer Sunflower-friendly bus services.

Free Sunflower lanyards can be obtained from Transport for NSW by emailing sunflower@transport.nsw.gov.au 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 Sunflower is distributed in Australia by Bayley House, a not-for-profit organisation.

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