We’re excited to introduce The Sunflower Workstream! 🌻

Our workstream is focused on raising awareness of hidden disabilities in the workplace. We originally launched as the Neurodiversity Sub-Workstream, aiming to raise awareness of neurodiversity across Solirius Reply. Over time, our research led us to learn about non-visible disabilities as a whole. This inspired us to submit a proposal for Solirius Reply to become a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower group, leading to our rebrand as the Sunflower Workstream. This workstream has helped us build toward a more inclusive, understanding and supportive environment for everyone. Our first priority was providing Sunflower training to our workforce through lunch-and-learn sessions over the course of 2 months. This gave our employees an introduction to the Sunflower, hidden disabilities, and training staff never to ask a wearer to disclose their disability.

We finished the training sessions just in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, where the Accessibility team kindly invited us to present on our newly rebranded workstream.

We started with an exciting icebreaker led by Jeevni Nathoo, QA Engineer. I then shared why becoming a Sunflower member is an important step toward a more inclusive workplace for our employees with non-visible disabilities. I also shared our plans to implement the initiative across the company, including: 

• providing Sunflower lanyards and badges to anyone who wishes to wear them

• displaying Sunflower branding across Solirius to raise awareness

• using the programme's training and resources to build confidence across Solirius Reply

  
  

To wrap things up, Courtney Suhr, Specialist QA Engineer, shared the great progress we’ve made as a Disability Confident Committed employer.

This is a reminder that joining the Sunflower is not just a one-off achievement; it is an ongoing commitment that we must integrate into our everyday culture. We look forward to sharing more about our journey and dedication as a Disability Confident Committed employer!