Mastercard has teamed up with several organizations, including St. Andrew’s Autism Centre, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, HSBC, and Frasers Property Singapore, to launch the #AcceptanceMatters campaign, aimed at raising awareness and fostering acceptance of individuals with autism. This initiative responds to the fact that 1 in 6 people globally live with a disability, many of whom have non-visible disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, or dementia.
In Singapore alone, around 26,000 individuals, including over 5,000 children under the age of 20, are on the autism spectrum. Despite its growing prevalence—affecting more than 1 in 100 children by the age of 18 months—misunderstandings and a lack of awareness about autism continue to pose challenges for those affected and their families. To combat this issue, Mastercard is committed to promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities (PwD). The #AcceptanceMatters campaign seeks to raise awareness about autism by sharing real-life stories of those living with the condition. This initiative aims to bridge the empathy gap and create a more supportive community for individuals with autism.
As part of the campaign, Mastercard will support the distribution of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (HDS) wearables, which include lanyards and pins that signal a person may need additional support. These wearables will be available through St. Andrew’s Autism Centre and at various HSBC branches. HSBC is enhancing its support for individuals with invisible disabilities by training customer-facing staff to recognize the Sunflower symbol, ensuring they can assist customers who may need extra help.
A dedicated campaign website (www.saac.org.sg/acceptancematters) has been created to feature stories from individuals living with autism and their caregivers. The site incorporates special film effects and sound design to reflect the heightened sensory experiences that many individuals with autism face. Frasers Property Singapore, as the campaign’s media partner, is promoting acceptance of neurodivergent individuals across its retail and commercial properties. They have also introduced an ‘Inclusion Champions’ program to provide over 1,000 hours of training focused on inclusivity and support for individuals with disabilities.
Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Mastercard Asia Pacific, highlighted the importance of collaboration in this campaign, stating that this partnership allows them to normalize conversations around disability and inclusion while driving greater empathy and allyship—essential elements for an inclusive culture. A world where everyone is accepted is truly priceless.
By focusing on the experiences of individuals with autism, the #AcceptanceMatters campaign aims to reshape community perceptions, encouraging open discussions about disability and acceptance. As Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, noted, the campaign seeks to normalize conversations around disabilities and drive inclusion. Through these collaborative efforts, Mastercard, along with its partners, hopes to foster a more inclusive and understanding environment for individuals with autism and hidden disabilities in Singapore and beyond.