Sutton Council is supporting International Day of People with Disability

International Day of People with Disability aims to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people.

Currently in Sutton, 452 children with disabilities are supported by our social care services and 1,832 adults with disabilities or a long term health condition are also supported by our services. We also provide a significant number of additional preventative support services that aim to prolong a person's independence and allow them to remain socially active within their community for longer.

The theme this year is ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’. This focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Ruth Dombey said; “We are proudly supporting International Day of People with Disability and hope to help end any stigma or discrimation to those with a disability. We are ambitious for Sutton to be a great place to live, work and raise a family inclusive to all those with disabilities, both visible and invisible. It is important we work together as a community to remove barriers for those people living with a disability so they are able to live full lives in our borough." 

Those with a hidden disability can wear a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - for example, as a lanyard, ID card or pin badge to discreetly indicate to people around them that they need additional support, help or a little more time with things. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower launched in 2016 and has been adopted globally by major airports and venues and in the UK, by many supermarkets, railway and coach stations, leisure facilities, the NHS, a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of small and large businesses and organisations.

For information on support available in the borough if you have a disability, please visit the Sutton Council website for support for children with disabilities and adults with disabilities.