Understanding the Sunflower with Sandee Facy and Matt Oastler : a different brilliant podcast S5 Ep6

In this episode of a different brilliant, host Madeline Jane Lobsey is joined by Sandee Facy, Head of Business Development for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand (via Bayley House), and Matt Oastler (he/they), Aspect Autism Friendly Melbourne Team Leader, to explore how the Sunflower symbol and Autism Friendly practices work together to make everyday life more welcoming for Autistic people and others with hidden disabilities.

Drawing on lived experience and practical examples, Sandee and Matt unpack what the Sunflower is (and isn’t), why it helps people signal a need for time, space, or support without disclosing diagnoses, and how Aspect’s Autism Friendly team partners with organisations to turn good intentions into tangible change; from quiet rooms and familiarisation sessions to visual stories, sensory maps, and inclusive workplace design.

Whether you’re an Autistic adult, a parent or carer, an educator or allied health professional, or a business leader aiming to lift inclusion, this episode offers clear, actionable ideas you can use right away.

Practical info:
A person can get a Sunflower lanyard in two ways:
1️⃣ Purchase a lanyard from: https://hdsunflower.com/au/
2️⃣ Find a complimentary lanyard at a Sunflower Friendly organisation near you using the Sunflower Map: https://hdsunflower.com/au/find-the-s...

Additional resources:
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower ANZ - awareness training and accessibility partnerships: https://hdsunflower.com/au/
Aspect Autism Friendly - consultancy, environmental assessments, staff training, and resources for organisations: https://www.aspect.org.au/our-service...

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro to podcast and guests Sandy Facy & Matt Oller
3:19 - What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?
5:13 - Aspect’s Autism Friendly team's involvement
7:26 - Who the sunflower is for and what it represents
10:06 - Shared goals and collaborative impact
12:04 - Real-life story: Sunflower helping in an airport
14:54 - How organizations become sunflower-friendly
17:00 - Making environments more autism-friendly
22:10 - Universal design benefits everyone
24:17 - Inclusion in action: MCG and Taylor Swift concert
26:32 - Familiarization days and quiet spaces
33:07 - Stats: 1 in 5 have a disability, most are hidden
34:18 - Inclusion improves access, wellbeing & loyalty
39:36 - How to be a champion for inclusion
40:20 - Upcoming projects: sports, museums, LEGO, and more

About Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia):
Aspect is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the world’s most extensive autism-specific educational programs. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum to co-develop, co-produce and co-deliver supports and services that are individualised, goal driven and grounded in evidence-based practices.

Stay Connected:
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Visit our website: https://www.aspect.org.au/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Aspect.Links

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