New Lego Characters Created To Represent Hidden Disabilities Such As Autism
Lego is introducing several new characters to their universe who wear sunflower lanyards. Sunflower badges are often worn by individuals who have a hidden disability such as autism. This is meant to be a discreet way for individuals to voluntarily share that they have a hidden disability and it’s recognized in more than 90 countries.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is the company behind this symbol, and now, the world’s biggest toymaker is incorporating it into their universe to further inform the world what a sunflower badge or lanyard means.
The characters wearing the lanyard are to be different age groups and will go on sale starting next year.
“As one of the most loved toy brands, we know that our choices about which characters we make and what stories we tell about them have a big impact on how kids learn to perceive the world,” said Lauren von Stackelberg, the Lego Group chief diversity and inclusion officer.
“We hope that modeling a world in which all kinds of people are celebrated will help us all embrace diversity, value inclusivity and remove stigma,” she said.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower shared consumer research that showed around 80% of parents stated that kids today care more about diversity and inclusion when compared to previous generations.
One of the sets that will be released is a “Friends” playset, which is meant to be for older children, and shows Ryan, a university student wearing noise-reducing headphones and a sunflower lanyard, at the airport.
Other sets for kids of all age groups will include the symbol as well.
Paul White, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower chief executive, said “opting to wear the lanyard was a simple way of sharing that you have a hidden disability and letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.”
“Its lanyards are worn by millions of people, including adults, children and sometimes carers. It is a helpful aid because although the symbol for disability is a wheelchair, only 7% of disabled people are wheelchair-users,” he explained.
“In the UK one in five people have some form of disability and 80% are not visible,” said White.
“That’s over 12 million people. Only 17% are born with a disability, the other 83% acquire one at some stage during their lives … so disability affects us all. A more accepting society would raise the bar and enable people with disabilities to do everything they should be able to do,” he said.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
