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Home My WebLink AboutCAO 07-25Report to Council Report Number: CAO 07-25 Date: May 26, 2025 From: Marisa Carpino Chief Administrative Officer Subject: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Project Update File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Report CAO 07-25 regarding Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program be received; 2. That staff be directed to register the City of Pickering in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program at the Corporate Membership Level; 3. That the expense for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, be charged to account General - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (502240.9750) and the expense not to exceed $7,000.00); and 4. That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. In accordance with Resolution #672/25, from the February 24, 2025 Council Meeting, staff were directed to research the appropriate level of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower membership including associated costs and report back to Council no later than Q2 2025. After careful consideration, staff determined that the corporate membership level would be the most appropriate membership level for the City of Pickering. Corporate membership allows businesses, public spaces, and transportation services to show their commitment to support people with hidden disabilities. Steps to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program include registration, training and awareness, lanyards and badges, commitment to accessibility, and ongoing support and evaluation. To retain active membership, 80 per cent of City staff must be trained on the program. The internal program launch date is scheduled for May 27, 2025 which aligns with National Accessibility Week, which runs from May 25th to May 31st. The external program launch date is set for July 2025. CAO 07-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Page 2 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report align with the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; and Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships. Financial Implications: The cost of corporate membership is $2,940.00 per year. In addition, wearer and supporter materials will cost approximately $3,500.00 in year one. Wearer and supporter materials include lanyards, decals, and one corporate starter pack for internal trainers. Discussion: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. In accordance with Resolution #672/25, from the February 24, 2025 Council Meeting, staff were directed to research the appropriate level of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower membership including associated costs and report back to Council no later than Q2 2025. Staff initially considered training would be undertaken by a select group of frontline staff (Customer Care Centre and front counter staff) in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. However, further discussions, including consultation with the Town of Ajax who are already members of the program, highlighted the need to broaden the initiative, ensuring that all employees, including camp counsellors and firefighters, receive the program training. This expanded scope serves two key purposes: maintaining a consistent level of service for residents with hidden disabilities, regardless of which City staff person they may interact with, and fostering a culture of accessibility and inclusion among all employees. There are no additional membership costs incurred by this expanded scope. A. Membership Level: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness and improve accessibility for individuals with hidden disabilities. The core value of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is inclusion. The program strives to create inclusive environments where people with hidden disabilities can access services and participate without facing discrimination or undue challenges, ensuring they do not feel self-conscious when seeking assistance. Corporate membership allows businesses, public spaces, and transportation services to show their commitment to support people with hidden disabilities. Steps to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program include registration, training and awareness, lanyards and badges, commitment to accessibility, and ongoing support and evaluation. Registration: Businesses, organizations, and service providers must first complete a registration process through the official Sunflower Scheme website. This includes providing details about the organization and its commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Training and Awareness: Once registered, the corporate member is expected to undergo training related to hidden disabilities, understanding the needs of individuals with these CAO 07-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Page 3 conditions, and how to offer appropriate support. This training is provided as part of a partnership with the Sunflower Program. The intent is to provide training to all City staff where practicable. The training program commitment is a one-time, thirty minute training session. In order to remain active members, a minimum 80 percent of City staff must be trained on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program at all times. Lanyards and Badges: Upon completing the registration and training, corporate members receive sunflower lanyards and/or badges for wearers and supporters, which can be distributed to employees and/or displayed in prominent locations. The lanyards serve as a signal for those who may need assistance due to a hidden disability. Commitment to Accessibility: Corporate members must also commit to making reasonable adjustments within their organizations or spaces to improve accessibility. This may include providing clearer signage, adjusting communication methods, or offering additional support when needed. Ongoing Support and Evaluation: Corporate members are encouraged to continue evaluating their practices, ensuring they remain in line with the principles of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. B: Launch Date: The internal program launch date is scheduled for May 27, 2025, in line with National Accessibility Week, which is taking place from May 25th to May 31st for the purpose of both celebrating the contributions of persons with disabilities in Canada and highlighting past and continuing work towards the identification and removal of barriers to accessibility in Canada. The external program launch date is set for July 2025. This allows approximately two months from the internal to external launch date for staff training to meet the corporate membership requirement of having and maintaining a minimum of 80 percent of City staff trained on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Attachment: Resolution #672/25 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Justine Wallace, Ph.D(c) Mark Guinto (Acting) Supervisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division Head, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications MG:jw Original Signed By:Original Signed By: CAO 07-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Page 4 Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Original Signed By: Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum February 28, 2025 To: Marisa Carpino Chief Administrative Officer From: Susan Cassel City Clerk Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on February 24, 2025 Supporting Hidden Disabilities - Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Council Decision Resolution #672/25 WHEREAS, many Canadians live with hidden disabilities, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program was created to encourage inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding; And Whereas, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program provides support to individuals living with hidden disabilities by providing a simple and discrete tool that allows individuals to voluntarily identify their needs without disclosing a particular condition; And Whereas, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program provides an opportunity to recognize that someone may need a helping hand, understanding or more time in public spaces. Some disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others; And Whereas, other municipalities and corporations such as the Town of Ajax, Durham Region Transit, Billy Bishop and Toronto Pearson Airports, and Metrolinx are also members of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program; And Whereas, participation in this program provides for staff training, and aligns with the City of Pickering Multi-Year Accessibility Goal of working toward removing existing barriers for persons with disabilities; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs through the Office of the CAO: 1. That the City of Pickering will join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program and continue to explore new ways to make the City of Pickering’s customer experience more inclusive for all; 2. That staff research the appropriate level of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower membership including associated costs and report back to Council no later than the end of Q2 2025; and, Attachment 1 to Report CAO 07-25 Please take any action deemed necessary. SC:am 3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to John Henry, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Durham Region Health and Social Services Committee, Durham Ontario Health Team, Community Care Durham, Durham Mental Health Services, and the Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee.