VISION AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y6vxkjlhtobfrfhgg4oyv/h?rlkey=4d0zxpx1b64sg8jesas6t9s2u&dl=0
THE Minns Labor Government is supporting the expansion of the internationally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to buses in the Lismore area, further improving access to public transport.
The 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.
State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin confirmed that CDC NSW in the Far North Coast region, formerly known as Blanch’s Bus Company and Brunswick Valley Coaches, is among the first regional and outer metropolitan bus operators to be Sunflower-friendly.
“Drivers on school and regular route services have been trained to recognise the Sunflower lanyard and provide appropriate support,” Ms Saffin said.
“This support includes helping passengers in boarding and disembarking or navigating stressful situations.”
The NSW Government’s support for expansion of the program comes 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.
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 www.transportnsw.info/news/2023/extra-support-for-hidden-disabilities
The Sunflower is solely distributed in Australia by Bayley House, a not-for-profit organisation.
