Awards and recognitions

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was also named Best Consumer Services Business of the Year – 2026 (United Kingdom) at the SME500 UK Awards.

Celebrating the achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK, the awards highlight organisations demonstrating strong performance, innovation, and growth. This recognition reinforces the organisation’s leadership in delivering accessible and inclusive customer experiences.

Annette Cmela, Chief Innovation & Brand Officer of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, has been named Global Disability Inclusion Leader of the Year 2026 in Acquisition International’s Influential Businesswoman Awards.

The awards recognise women making an impact across global business, with nominees assessed on leadership, professional excellence and measurable achievement. Annette’s recognition reflects her work helping to grow the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower internationally and supporting organisations to create more inclusive experiences for people with non-visible disabilities, conditions and chronic illnesses.

The Influential Businesswoman Awards 2026 celebrate women leading change across sectors and organisations around the world.

Find out about the award

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has been named Best Consumer Services Business of the Year – 2026 (United Kingdom) at the Global 100 Awards, presented by GPMG.

This recognition highlights the organisation’s continued commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion for people with non-visible disabilities through the globally recognised Sunflower symbol.

The award reflects the impact of the Sunflower program in fostering greater understanding, empowering individuals, and helping businesses and communities create more inclusive environments.

Flávia Callafange, Regional Director for Brazil and Latin America at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, has been recognised as one of the 85 most influential alumni of Colégio Villa Maria Academy.

This recognition reflects her leadership in expanding the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Scheme across Latin America, thereby increasing awareness, improving accessibility, and fostering more inclusive environments for people with non-visible disabilities.

See more here.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was honoured with a Neurodiversity Award at the Neurodiversity Awards 2024 in the Social Implementation Category.

This recognition acknowledges the organisation’s contribution to advancing understanding of neurodiversity and building more inclusive environments. It highlights the impact of the Sunflower in supporting people with non-visible disabilities, helping to foster awareness, accessibility, and inclusion across communities.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (Nordics) was named Goodtalks Special Award winner at the Danish Diversity Awards 2023, held in Industriens Hus, Copenhagen.

Presented in collaboration with Goodtalks and DI - Dansk Industri, the award recognises initiatives that challenge conventional thinking and strengthen diversity and inclusion.

This recognition highlights the impact of the Sunflower in making non-visible disabilities more visible, supporting individuals, and fostering greater awareness, accessibility, and inclusion across workplaces and communities.

Read  more about the Danish Diversity Awards

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was named Leading Initiative for Disability Inclusion at the Corporate Vision Global Business Awards 2023.

The awards recognise organisations demonstrating innovation, strong performance, and ethical practices across industries. This recognition highlights the organisation’s leadership in advancing disability inclusion, raising awareness of non-visible disabilities, and supporting businesses to create more accessible and inclusive environments.
F
ind out more about the Corporate Vision award

The Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards recognise companies, individuals, destinations, and organisations that are advancing more sustainable and responsible travel through innovation and measurable impact.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was recognised in the 2023 awards for its contribution to improving accessibility for travellers with non-visible disabilities. This recognition highlights the impact of the Sunflower in supporting more inclusive travel experiences and raising awareness across airports, airlines, and the wider travel industry.

Read more about the Global Vision Awards

Purple Tuesday is a global social movement and the #1 brand for improving the customer experience for disabled people and their families 365 days a year. Participating organisations make public commitments (a minimum of one new activity or initiative) each year that improves their accessibility and practice so that disabled customers have a better, more inclusive experience.

Read more about Purple Tuesday here.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is an official Guinness World Records™ title holder for the longest lanyard.

On 17 March 2023, a 3,784.50 metre Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard was measured and confirmed at Anfield Stadium, setting a new world record. The installation was created to raise awareness of the wide range of non-visible disabilities and health conditions supported by the Sunflower.

This achievement reflects the global impact of the Sunflower in increasing understanding, visibility, and inclusion for people with non-visible disabilities.
Read more about the world's longest lanyard

Read more about the worlds longest lanyard here.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was named Best Campaign winner at the Disability Power 100 2023.

This recognition highlights the impact of the organisation’s campaign to raise awareness of non-visible disabilities, which culminated in achieving a Guinness World Records title for the longest lanyard. The initiative brought together thousands of submissions, showcasing the wide range of conditions experienced by Sunflower wearers and reinforcing the importance of visibility, understanding, and inclusion.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was recognised as a finalist in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 2022.

The Disability Power 100 celebrates influential disabled leaders, pioneers, and organisations who are driving change and challenging perceptions of disability across society. Selected from hundreds of public nominations, finalists are recognised for their impact, advocacy, and contribution to creating a more inclusive world.

This recognition highlights the organisation’s role in raising awareness of non-visible disabilities and supporting greater understanding, accessibility, and inclusion across communities and workplaces.

Find out more about the Disability Power 100, 2022

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was featured in Condé Nast Traveller Bright Ideas in Travel 2022, recognising organisations shaping the future of travel through innovation and inclusion.

The inaugural list highlights leading companies and initiatives driving change across the travel industry, from accessibility and sustainability to technology and design. This recognition reflects the organisation’s role in improving accessibility for travellers with non-visible disabilities and supporting more inclusive travel experiences worldwide.
More about the Condé Nast award.

Find out more information about the award.