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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INVISIBLE
DISABILITIES

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1 Warm up

These icons are used to indicate specific disabilities and support needs that some people have. Match
the sentence halves 1-9 on the next page to describe each icon 1-9.

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1. It’s hard for me a. communicating or making a decision.

2. I need more time when b. carer or assistant.

3. I can’t stand for c. sensitive to lights.

4. I will need to d. to access some areas.

5. I cannot use e. urgent access to a bathroom.

6. I sometimes need f. long periods of time.

7. I have a g. a hearing impairment.

8. I am h. stairs or ramps.

9. I have i. sit and rest sometimes.

Answer these questions.

1. Is it always possible to see someone’s disability?

2. How can people with invisible disabilities identify themselves to others?

2 Reading

Read the article and complete each paragraph with the most appropriate first sentence. One item is
extra.

A. In 2016, staff at Gatwick Airport in the UK had a great idea.

B. Similar support for those with invisible disabilities is available at stores,

museums and sporting events.

C. Sunflower lanyards are available for free or for a small charge at selected outlets or
online.

D. To this end, a number of airports worldwide have opened "Sunflower Rooms."

E. The sort of help people with invisible disabilities need varies a great deal.

F.Sunflower wearers value the ability to access the support they need when they
choose to make themselves known.

G. Wheelchair users experience a range of difficulties in public spaces.

H. "When do I need to get to the airport? Is my bag too big? Does it take long to
get through security?"

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Traveling with Invisible Disabilities

Follow the flower

1. Air travel can be complicated at the best of times, but for passengers with
disabilities, the stressful feelings are multiplied. One in six people in the world has some kind of
disability which makes access to public spaces difficult. Of these, eighty percent are living with a
hidden disability, not immediately apparent to others at first sight. What can be done to make
everyday experiences like travel more inclusive for this often invisible group?

2. They started offering special green and yellow lanyards with sunflowers on them to
travelers who needed extra time or assistance to move through the airport and they trained staff
to provide what was needed. The project was such a success that Gatwick shared the idea with
other UK airports, and the initiative has since spread around the world. Today Sunflower lanyards,
wristbands and badges are now recognized at airports and other public spaces globally. You can
even get a Sunflower sticker for your vehicle.

3. Anyone who wants one can wear one - there’s no need to disclose the type of
disability or personal information, although if you wish, there is space to record these details or
an emergency contact on a card attached to the lanyard.

4. For some, a physical disability like a respiratory condition means they find standing or
walking for any length of time quite difficult. Fast-tracking these passengers through long queues,
for example at airport security, is possible at some airports, but it’s best to book Special
Assistance before traveling. Others may have dementia or learning difficulties which can lead to
problems understanding and remembering information, so having staff take the time to explain
or even accompany them to the next stage of travel helps to reduce anxiety. People recovering
from a brain injury like a stroke may need extra time to process information and communicate.
Those with autism may appreciate having a quiet space, away from the sensory overload of the
noisy, crowded airport environment.

5. Designed in partnership with those with invisible disabilities, these places offer a
peaceful, calming environment where travelers can wait for their flights. In order to safeguard the
space and its users, access may be by request only.

6. It’s very important that staff in these places are able to offer the right sort of
support, so those businesses and venues that sign up as Sunflower Partners receive training and
advice from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organization. In addition to providing an improved
service for those who need assistance, the aim is to raise awareness of the needs of this group
and promote empathy and kindness in general.

7. This makes travel much more manageable and some report that the lanyards
have made them feel more confident to ask for help. Others say they’ve enjoyed a sense of
community if they catch the eye of another Sunflower lanyard wearer when they’re out and
about. For people who want to help, spread the word to friends and family and on social media
and see if your workplace is signed up.

sources: hdsunflower.com, mindfulmeggie.com, manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Glossary:

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• Respiratory conditions affect breathing.
• Dementia includes a range of conditions that affect the brain and can cause
memory loss and confusion.
• Autism affects how someone’s social and communication skills develop.

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3 Vocabulary

Work in A/B pairs. Look at your own list and find words in the text in bold that match your
definitions. Then share answers with your partner.

Student A

disclose spread fast-tracking multiplied safeguard

1. : ensure the safety of a person who may be in danger

2. : increased a great deal

3. : making a process easier or quicker

4. : reached a wider area

5. : reveal new information

Student B

apparent inclusive initiative empathy sensory overload

1. : a feeling that there is too much input (e.g. lights, noise, smells,
etc.) for the brain to handle
2. : a new plan or project

3. : bringing different kinds of people together in a group and

treating them fairly and equally
4. : easily seen

5. : understanding gained by imagining yourself in someone else’s

situation

Part 2: Say whether the syllable stress is the same (s) or different (d) for each pair of words.

1. apparent / inclusive

2. disclose / safeguard

3. empathy / sensory

4. fast-tracking / initiative

5. multiplied / spread

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4 Language in context

Look at these sentences from the final paragraph of the article. Explain the meanings of the informal
three-word phrases in bold.

"Others say they’ve enjoyed a sense of community if they catch the eye of
another Sunflower lanyard wearer when they’re out and about. For people who
want to help, spread the word to friends and family and on social media and see
if your workplace is signed up."

1. catch someone’s eye

2. out and about

3. spread the word

Complete these sentences in a logical way.

In a supermarket, ... often catches my eye.

Around here, you often see ... when you’re out and about.

I think it’s so important to spread the word about ...

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5 Jigsaw reading

Work in A/B pairs. Look at the correct text on this or the next page. Read your text using the glossary
to help. Get ready to explain the information in your own words to your partner. You can also
teach your partner the items from the glossary. Ask each other questions to find out more.

Student A

The Sunflower lanyard initiative for travelers with invisible or hidden disabilities has
spread to airports all around the world. But how well does it work in real life? An
account from a Sunflower lanyard user with a mental health condition contains mixed
reviews.
This user was traveling alone and visiting a destination airport for the first time.
Despite having prepared for the trip in advance by checking the airport website and
making a list of what to expect at every stage of the journey, they felt quite overwhelmed
upon arrival at the new airport and experienced a difficult time, even while wearing their
Sunflower lanyard. It’s not clear exactly what happened here, but understandably, on
their return trip, they felt rather anxious as they prepared for their flight.
However, as soon as airport staff spotted their lanyard (and before even hearing a request
for assistance), they swung into action and took the traveler to a quiet spot to find out
more about their exact needs. The staff member even liaised with the security staff to
fast-track them through this stage and stayed around to see them through to the next
part of the journey.
In fact, this pattern was repeated throughout the traveler’s return trip, with offers of
help at nearly every point. It seems that on the whole, Sunflower lanyards can make a
huge difference to the wearer’s travel experiences.

Glossary:

• liaise /li"eIz/: speak to people in an organization to make a plan or share information

• overwhelmed: a strong negative feeling that you cannot manage a situation
• swing into action: suddenly start working

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Student B

The Sunflower lanyard initiative for travelers originated with an airport in the UK. How
have airports in general developed the support they offer to travelers with invisible or
hidden disabilities?
First of all, it’s possible to actually pick up a free Sunflower lanyard from some airports,
making it even more straightforward to take part in the project - look for the Assisted
Travel Desk on arrival at the airport. Travelers can also book additional assistance for
some stages of their journey in advance, including access to family or priority lanes at
security. However, support varies a great deal between individual airports.
Some airports offer special tours of their facilities and procedures in advance of flying.
Others have downloadable resources which include photos, information on what to
expect at all stages of the journey and a space to write any personal information you
wish to disclose.
Sunflower Rooms provide quiet waiting areas both before and after the security stage.
These rooms are soundproofed so that airport noise doesn’t lead to sensory overload,
although there are departure screens so that anxious travelers can keep up to date with
their flight status. Some of these safe spaces are designed to look as much as possible
like a home, with soft seating and dim lights.
It seems like airports are really trying to be more inclusive, although of course, users
will have the final word on how helpful these arrangements are.

Glossary:

• soundproofed: built or adapted so that no sound can come in or go out of a space

• straightforward: easy to understand and use
• take part in: join other people in doing an activity

6 Talking point

Discuss these questions in pairs or small groups.

1. Airports have set a good example in addressing the needs of users with invisible or
hidden disabilities. How can airlines, other transport providers and sporting events
improve support for these people even further?
2. In your opinion, what are the limits to assisting travelers with any sort of disability?
3. Training staff to offer assistance to lanyard wearers may also benefit both the staff
members and their employers. List some of these advantages.
4. People with disabilities face many problems. The social model is disability says that
their biggest challenges are social attitudes and the way the physical environment is
built. Therefore, addressing these problems will make the greatest difference to
their lives. To what extent do you agree with this view?

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5. Is there anything else you’d like to know about traveling with an invisible or hidden
disability? Where could you find out more?

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7 Optional extension / homework

Complete the word family table for some of the items in the vocabulary exercises. Mark the stressed
syllables.

verb noun adjective

1
disclose -

2 3
empathy

4 5
inclusive

6
initiative -

7
safeguard -

8
spread -

What’s the difference in meaning between sympathy and empathy?

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