Purple Light Up 2020
Published 3 December 2020 | Average read time
3 min read
Stories Life at Network Rail
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We’re turning purple to celebrate International Day of Disabled Persons.

We’re joining #PurpleLightUp – an international campaign creating purple spaces in a range of creative ways to celebrate the economic and leadership contribution of disabled employees.

On 3 December, we and the rail industry are celebrating the economic and leadership contribution of disabled employees with purple – the colour of disability.

There are a billion disabled people globally, according to Purple Space, a networking and professional development hub for disabled employees. That’s one in seven of us.

We Are Purple estimates the annual spending power of disabled people and their households to be worth £249bn a year to UK business.

Network Rail's Quadrant building in Milton Keynes with purple lights to light it up.
Network Rail’s Quadrant building in Milton Keynes lit purple.

What are we doing?

This year’s theme is ‘not all disabilities are visible’. It focuses on spreading understanding and awareness of disabilities that aren’t immediately apparent. These include: mental illness; chronic fatigue pain; hearing or sight impairments, brain injuries; diabetes; learning differences, and neurological disorders.

CanDo, Network Rail’s disabled staff support network, has led our involvement with the international #PurpleLightUp campaign. This international campaign is a powerful declaration of solidarity by, and with, disabled people, and we are proud to be taking part.

We’re lighting up some of our biggest and busiest stations purple on the day to promote an understanding of disability issues.

“I want to help inspire confidence”

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Sunflower lanyards

You may have seen sunflower lanyards while on your train journeys. We’ve partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme to help all our customers travel with dignity.

By wearing the Sunflower lanyard you can discreetly indicate to our staff that you may need additional support, a little more time or that you’re unable to wear a face covering.

Sunflower lanyards and exemption cards are available in our managed stations – if you are travelling through our stations you can ask a member of staff for one.

A sunflower lanyard and sunflower ticket holder on a desk at a busy station

Alternatively, you can download and print this card and carry it with you. There is no requirement to carry an exemption card or wear a lanyard, but this may help you feel more confident when travelling.  

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