The university’s Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) is now providing sunflower lanyards for any student and staff who is exempt from wearing a face covering because of a disability and/or mental or physical health condition.
Sunflower lanyards are part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, a national scheme which discreetly signals to people, including staff, peers and health professionals, that the wearer may need additional support, help or a little more time.
The scheme was launched in 2016 and has now been adopted globally by major airports and venues and in the UK, by many supermarkets, railway and coach stations, leisure facilities, the NHS, a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of small and large businesses and organisations.
At Queen Mary we have purchased these sunflower lanyards for students and staff who may wish to signal to others that they have a disability and/or mental or physical health condition that means they cannot wear a face covering.
However, wearing a sunflower lanyard is completely optional. It’s important to be mindful and respectful of the fact that some people are exempt from wearing face coverings, and they may or may not be wearing a lanyard.
Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service. DDS will be distributing these lanyards to students and staff via the main DDS office (FB 3.06), which is on the third floor of the Francis Bancroft Building at Mile End.