The LEGO Group has announced a series of initiatives to support consumers and collectors with disabilities. The announcement was made on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In partnership with Sunflower, a person with a hidden disability, the LEGO Group will launch three sets next year featuring the character wearing a Sunflower lanyard. Launched in 2016, the lanyard is an international symbol of invisible disabilities. The partnership will also help LEGO better support its employees. As part of its programme, LEGO stores in Europe will receive KultureCity’s sensory inclusion certification by the end of March.
The Hidden Disability Sunflower will be included in LEGO Friends, LEGO Icons and LEGO DUPLO sets, all of which will be available online and in stores next year. LEGO DUPLO First Airport is designed to help young children navigate the airport experience. This set includes a child with a sunflower lanyard; the minifigure comes with a suitcase and a teddy bear. Set includes a removable airplane, security desk and pilot minifigure.
A similarly themed set is the LEGO Friends Heartlake City Airport and Plane ($99.99), for ages 8 and up, featuring Ryan, a college student wearing noise-canceling headphones and a sunflower lanyard. Set includes eight other minifigures, a dog, a plane, an airport, a taxi and a luggage trolley.
Suitable for builders ages 18 and up, the LEGO Icons Tudor Corner ($229.99) contains 3,266 pieces and includes a female minifigure with a sunflower lanyard. The characters live in the Old Guarded Inn, which houses a haberdashery and a watchmaking studio. She has a special place for lanyards near the entrance to her apartment.
LEGO Friends Heartlake City Airport and Plane and LEGO Icons Tudor Corner will be released on January 1st.
While they wait for their set, LEGO fans can customize their minifigures with the sunflower symbol at 55 minifigure factories around the world and online at lego.com.
Founded in 2014, KultureCity is a non-profit organization that helps LEGO make its European stores more inclusive. Through first responder training, the organization has saved 48 lives. It collaborates to increase awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities.
The Hidden Disability Sunflower is a discrete, global symbol for people to share that they live with a hidden disability and may need additional support, including but not limited to understanding of time, space, and public spaces. Lanyards and badges are available for free at participating venues and on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.
To learn more about Hidden Disability Sunflower, visit hdsunflower.com. For more information about upcoming LEGO sets, visit lego.com.
