A non-visible disability can defy stereotypes of what people might think disabled people look like. This can make it hard for these people to access what they need.
You may notice some disabled toilet facilities now display signs stating ‘not every disability is visible’. These were the result of a campaign by the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK after they discovered one of the main issues for sufferers in their everyday lives was receiving negative responses because onlookers have assumed that they don’t have a disability. This can be common when people are granted access to disabled parking as well. The signs have had a hugely positive impact, and raised much needed awareness.
The ‘Not Every Disability is Visible’ campaign is ongoing and focus is now on the workplace and how employers can offer better support. There are some great resources and information available on the website here:
noteverydisabilityisvisible.org.uk
Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify people living with a non-visible disability. Some people choose to wear the Sunflower Lanyard to discreetly identify that they may need support. You may have spotted these during the pandemic if someone was exempt from wearing a mask in public spaces due to health reasons. Look out for these next time you are out and about. You can find out more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme here
hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/about-hidden-disabilities-sunflower
Some people we come across may need extra support, assistance or simply a little more time. Overall, it is important to make sure we never make judgements and that we demonstrate patience and understanding of the possible challenges each person could be facing in their day to day lives.
For more information about living with non-visible disabilities, here is a link to the government's own Disability Blog
disabilityunit.blog.gov.uk/2020/12/17/living-with-non-visible-disabilities
