Optus has taken up the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program designed to help customers with a non-visible disability with their shopping experience.
“Joining the program is an important part of the Optus commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all customers, including those with non-visible disabilities,” a company spokesperson told F2L. Recounting their experience in store, one customer said “the team member understood that I had issues with looking up phones and plans and did the hard work for me. I recently had shoulder surgery and could not read the small print on my phone because I can’t pinch the screen to make it bigger”. Another customer appreciated there was “easy access”, the store “was not cluttered” and there was enough “room to move”.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower training is available to every Optus employee and more than 2,200 team members have completed the training. “We recognise we still have work to do, but this has been a significant first step and we’re proud of how many Optus employees voluntarily completed their training,” the spokesperson said.
Stores that have completed their Sunflower training have a sticker displayed near the entry. Customers can also visit the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website to find out about the accessibility features in their local Optus store.
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Optus recently refurbished its retail stores with layout, signage and accessibility features including wide aisles for easy wheelchair access. “Whilst not all stores have been refurbished, we have ensured that every Optus store offers assisted listening devices, sensory/quiet times and wheelchair accessibility.”
It is also expanding its accessibility programs and will release an updated 2024-2029 Action Plan soon, highlighting progress made with digital accessibility, employee disability confident training, enhanced brand guidelines and more.