LTA joins with the Sunflower to make British tennis events more accessible for those with hidden disabilities
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As the 2025 summer grass court season gets underway, the LTA has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (the Sunflower) to make its events more accessible to people with non-visible disabilities.
In joining with the Sunflower, the LTA is ensuring that all staff and volunteers working across the Lexus Birmingham Open, Lexus Ilkley Open, Lexus Nottingham Open, Lexus Eastbourne Open, and the HSBC Championships at the Queen’s Club have received training to recognise the Sunflower symbol, and that those wearing the symbol may need additional support. Across the LTA’s major events, there will also be information at ground entry points, event information points, and sensory rooms on-site to raise awareness of the Sunflower and non-visible disabilities.
Set up in 2016, the Sunflower is a global symbol that enables individuals with non-visible disabilities, conditions, and chronic illnesses to indicate they may need additional support, understanding, or time, whether that be at the shops, at work or even attending grass-court tennis tournaments.
Joining the Sunflower builds on the LTA’s most accessible grass-court season to date in 2024, where significant improvements were made to the accessibility for disabled fans:
- Disability awareness training was carried out with all members of staff working at our major events, including volunteers
- Sensory bags were available to fans, containing ear defenders, ear plugs, sunglasses and fidget toys, alongside use of a quiet room to reduce sensory overload for neurodiverse fans
- At last year’s edition of the HSBC Championships, big screen messages had British Sign Language translations thanks to a partnership with Signapse and hearing induction loops were available.
- Action Audio was also available for all semis and finals matches through a partnership between the LTA, BBC & AKQA, supported by RNIB and British Blind Sport through their Sport England funded programme ‘See Sport Differently’.
Sam Herd, Head of Event Planning and Delivery at the LTA, said, “We’re proud to be able to join with the Sunflower to make British tennis events more accessible to those with non-visible disabilities. We want everyone, non-disabled or disabled, with visible or invisible disabilities, to feel like they can experience tennis, and working with Sunflower, we want to make positive change for those people living with hidden disabilities and those who support them.”
What is a Non-Visible disability?
You can tell if someone has a disability if there is a visible indicator, for example they might use a wheelchair, a white cane, or a hearing aid. However, some disabilities may not be immediately obvious, so you may not be able to always tell if someone has a disability.
Non-visible disabilities can include learning difficulties, mental health conditions, as well as mobility issues, speech impediments and respiratory and chronic conditions. Without the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, it can be difficult to recognise that someone has a disability. As a consequence, those with non-visible disabilities may suffer from anxiety, not wanting to ask for help, being worried about what people may think, or being worried that people simply will not understand.
Everyone at the LTA’s events this summer and beyond, whether LTA staff, a volunteer, or a spectator, as part of the tennis community has a role to play in helping those with non-visible disabilities feel welcome. There are a number of things you can do:
- Ask if you can help
- Be kind
- Listen closely
- Show respect
- Have patience
- Do not judge
Ruth Rabét, Global Business Director at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said, "We are delighted that LTA has become a member of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and is using the resources and Sunflower training as an effective tool to complement the excellent disability inclusion initiatives already launched.
Players, visitors, and colleagues who choose to wear the Sunflower can feel reassured that LTA staff and volunteers will offer help, extra time, and understanding during their visit to any LTA events this summer."
Accessibility
Head to our major event pages to find out more about accessibility across the LTA’s summer grass court events.
