The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) is excited to announce its new, compassiondriven, education-based initiative that we believe will help build a more equitable and inclusive community.
We call it The Green Lanyard Project. The Green Lanyard Project aims to foster and nurture a community where every individual—regardless of their background, identity, characteristics, or abilities—feels safe, respected, included, and empowered to thrive. Equity, accessibility, and belonging are not just values; they are the foundation of collective strength and resilience.
Developed in partnership with Stefanie Peachey, Peachey Counselling and Family Support, this newly launched program works by issuing a green lanyard to patrons & visitors of our downtown, free of charge. The use of this lanyard signals to our business members that the wearer of the lanyard (or a member of their party) has an invisible atypical ability.
These invisible, atypical abilities often go unnoticed, making it difficult for frontline staff to understand the unique challenges that individuals face. The Green Lanyard serves as a visual cue to help small business owners, and their staff approach each interaction with the wearer with empathy, openness, and a willingness to assist.
This lanyard signals to others that the wearer may need more time, more patience and more understanding as they navigate an environment, such as a retail store, restaurant or even a bank.
“My son Andrew was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at the age of 8. His diagnosis came as both a relief, to finally understand how to better help him navigate his day-to-day life, and it also came with challenges. I became overly aware of the daily obstacles that neurodivergent individuals must face when taking part in everyday activities. From lights and sounds to what it’s like to conversate, everyone feels things differently, and everyone deserves the opportunity to feel heard. The Green Lanyard Project is designed so that people can feel heard, and seen, without having to explain themselves, a luxury that neurotypical individuals rarely must question.” Alison Policicchio, Marketing Director at BDBA. She continues “It is our hope that this one small step opens the door to a more inclusive, engaged and welcoming community.”
The Green Lanyard Project will require ongoing education for our downtown small businesses, residents, and visitors in Burlington. We will accomplish this through a series of community and public education pieces that will be disseminated in-person and be made available online.
Our commitment to this program, along with the support we have received from our small businesses, clearly demonstrates that our BIA is working to make our community more accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for those in need.
The excellent service you’re used to receiving from our small businesses won’t change, it’s just going be even better … we’re just adding a touch of green!
Residents and visitors to Burlington Downtown will be able to submit a request for a lanyard free of charge, which will then be mailed to them for use at their discretion. Then, the user can wear their lanyard when exploring our vibrant small business community.
Ready to learn more about the program? Ready to grab your lanyard? Click here to request your green lanyard, and add the subject line “Green Lanyard” and our project lead will connect with you directly. Lanyards will take 7 to 10 business days from day of request to arrival.
For more information on this initiative, please visit our website at:
burlingtondowntown.ca/greenlanyardproject. To access our online project learning library please visit burlingtondowntown.ca/greenlearninglibrary.
Press information For media inquiries, please contact:
Alison Policicchio, Marketing Director Burlington, Downtown Business Association
marketing@burlingtondowntown.ca
For inquiries pertaining to the BDBA, please contact:
Brian Dean, Executive Director, Burlington Downtown Business Association
brian@burlingtondowntown.ca
The BDBA is a not–for-profit association responsible for the vitalization and promotion of our vibrant Downtown business community. A special levy constitutes the organization’s budget and allows the Board and their sub committees to execute programs and events with great volunteer support of the membership on behalf of all of the members within our boundaries.
The BDBA promotes our dense commercial area as a vibrant business and shopping district. Through the use of promotional activities such as special events, advertising, and beautification programs, we aim to keep the area foremost in the public’s mind as an attractive, pleasant place to shop, to be entertained, to work, and to live. We want to make the quality of life for our Downtown businesses and services better.
Our efforts are dedicated to ensuring a healthy economic environment for our community and making our Downtown a better place to shop, dine, live, work, invest, visit and play.
