A ribbon with sunflower designs was formalized last July 17th as identification for people with hidden disabilities in Brazil.
The measure, sanctioned by the federal government, benefits anyone who has a disability that cannot be immediately perceived, whether physical, cognitive, permanent or temporary.
Associação Vozes Atípicas (AVA) – an NGO that provides support for people with disabilities and their families – explains that among these disabilities are autism, deafness and Parkinson’s, for example.
AVA President, Simone Alli Chair has two autistic children and says that raising awareness about the use of cords with sunflower designs is capable of changing the routine of people with hidden disabilities.
“I never let my 25-year-old son ride the bus or subway because I’m afraid he’ll have a crisis,” he explained in an interview with CNN Radio. “But if he has this sunflower cord, people will understand that he has a question, and then there is a greater understanding.”
Simone recalls that, in addition to being used in public transport, the cord helps people in waiting situations, such as queues or lobbies. And understanding ends up also being valid for those who accompany people with hidden disabilities.
“Even when it is a child who throws himself on the floor and makes a scene, people will understand that it is not a tantrum, it is not a lack of education, but that, at that moment, he is sensorially disorganized”, says the president of the AVA.
“If the person does not have the cord, they will not understand the situation and will judge, which happens a lot with mothers of autistic people. When the person behaves inappropriately, they look down on the mother.”
On the other hand, Simone Alli Chair reinforces that the use of the cord with sunflowers is optional, since the use of accessories on the body can bother and destabilize people with some hidden disabilities.
See also: Expert points out signs that may indicate autism spectrum disorder in children
Source: CNN Brasil
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