A place to call home
Knight Frank. the global property consultant, has become a member of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, to support employees with hidden disabilities across its UK business.
Starting from 14 February in its Baker Street head office and then with the plan to roll out to all offices, Knight Frank colleagues with non-visible disabilities can choose to wear Sunflower branded products to indicate a need for additional support, extra time or understanding from colleagues. Managers will receive Hidden Disabilities Sunflower training to help support their team members.
Luke Kievenaar, Partner, Head of Property Management at Knight Frank, commented:
“We are very excited to launch the Sunflower at Knight Frank. It is important to recognise and support anyone with a hidden disability and make daily lives less challenging. Recognising that awareness is key, our new training courses and disability inclusion partnerships will ensure our teams understand, value and respect everyone. We will need to appreciate that anyone wearing a Sunflower badge or lanyard may require extra support or time and thus we will make sure to offer a respectful approach to their needs.
“Our corporate policies, including how we recruit, is intended to reflect the diverse society we live in to ensure we are taking the relevant steps to create an inclusive environment with the aim to become an accredited Disability Confident employer. Speaking of my personal experiences of living with the struggles of having a hidden disability, which I had previously hidden for the best part of a decade from previous employers, it has been beyond refreshing to have the support and understanding of colleagues and the senior management at Knight Frank. Having a disability is certainly nothing to be ashamed of and I am very proud to work for a company that recognises that fact and is reviewing its workplaces, client experiences and employee requirements.”
Paul White, CEO, at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said:
“Knight Frank is supporting their Business Balance initiative with the introduction of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. The objectives of both marry together well. The Sunflower is committed to raising awareness of non-visible disabilities and creating inclusive spaces – where Sunflower wearers can thrive. The breadth of non-visible disabilities is vast which means that there is always more to learn. Listening to colleagues about what support and adjustments they need is a crucial first step. Which in turn means Knight Frank is an accessible space for diversity and disability inclusion for employees and clients.”
As part of the agreement, training will be given on how to support Knight Frank colleagues with hidden disabilities and deepen their understanding on conditions that can make day-to-day workplace experiences challenging.
A place to fly to
El Dorado airport in Bogotá D.C has become the first airport in Colombia to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. The airport joins 192 airports in 28 countries that are supporting an inclusive approach to improving the travel experience of people with disabilities that cannot be recognised with the naked eye.
Any person who has a non-visible disability, or their travel companion, can request the Sunflower lanyard at any of the airport service points, it is free, and there is no need to return it. In addition, whoever carries it will not be asked about their diagnosis or disability. Passengers should inform airport officials if they require special care, such as access to priority lines through Airport Security, Colombian Migration and DIAN processes at the air terminal.
Natali Leal, General Manager of Opain:
"At El Dorado we work to provide the best services and memorable experiences to all passengers and visitors, for this reason we joined the Sunflower network, a programme in which we seek to provide special support and thus improve accessibility and inclusion to people with non-visible disabilities that transit through the airport”
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower:
“We are delighted that El Dorado Airport has become the first airport to launch in Colombia. Passengers with non-visible disabilities travelling through their terminals will be reassured that airport staff will make the necessary accommodations to ensure that passengers are given help, patience, understanding and kindness if they require it. The airport strives to be inclusive, and joining the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network is an important part of that.”
A place in Germany
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has become the first German airport to join the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. People with hidden disabilities should be able to use all travel options at BER without any restrictions. With the help of the lanyard, wearers are given the opportunity to clearly signal that they have a hidden disability. This way, everyone at the airport - the staff as well as fellow passengers - can be prepared for the fact that Sunflower wearers may need assistance, a little more time or a little patience during their time at BER.
Colleagues at BER want to respond to passengers’ needs at the right moment, and the Sunflower lanyard allows them to identify people with non-visible disabilities so that they can offer help at the right time. The Sunflower lanyards are available at all passenger information desks in Terminals 1 and 2 and from the Mobility Service.
Thomas Hoff Anderson, Chief Operations Officer, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH:
“Our focus is on the needs of our passengers and our goal is to make their travel experience as pleasant and easy as possible. At the same time, we want to reduce barriers and expand opportunities. By introducing the Sunflower lanyard, we are giving many people the possibility to non-verbally and clearly signal their desire for assistance when travelling. This way, we simplify travel from BER and create a new understanding of each other. I am convinced that the Sunflower lanyard will have a lasting positive impact on the travel experience of many of our passengers.”
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower:
“We are delighted to welcome Berlin Brandenburg Airport as the first airport and organisation in Germany to become members of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. Their work to implement and embed the Sunflower has been outstanding, with staff at the airport ready to recognise and support wearers. Sunflower wearers travel for many reasons, and the knowledge that barriers are being removed to increase accessibility and inclusion will significantly reduce anxiety and stress for those passengers”.