Understanding Non-Apparent Disabilities: Challenges and Inclusion Strategies

One of the things I love about the advocacy work I do through Love Disabled Life is all of the awesome people I get to meet along the way. One such interaction occurred recently. A person purchased this tote bag from my Etsy shop and commented that they appreciated the sentiment of the bag’s message and also said they don’t prefer the term “invisible” disability.

While humbled by the purchase, as well the complimentary comment, I took pause at the observation. My disability is very visible, so I can’t speak to what any other experience feels like. But I do understand how the term “invisible” may not be preferred. Of course, the practical definition of invisible is “not seen.” But when someone feels their disability is part of their identity, saying it is invisible, also implies so is part of their identity. And I can definitely see how no one wants to have part of their identity negated in such a way that it doesn’t exist.

Another term some people use to describe invisible disabilities is “hidden.” I don’t really care for that term, either. Hidden suggests that you are trying to hide something. To intentionally conceal one’s disability, either because of shame, fear, embarrassment, or just to be manipulative— any of these scenarios are antithetical to living an authentic life. To say anything of expressing disability pride.

Therefore, for all the reasons I outline above, in this blog post— and moving forward— I am going to refer to “invisible” or “hidden” disabilities as “non-apparent.” In my opinion it is the most accurate description of a disability that is not easily recognized and has the least negative connotation associated with it.

So now that I have outlined why moving forward I will use the term non-apparent disability, I want to further explore the often unrecognized and unacknowledged challenges of living with a non-apparent disability or chronic health condition.

Non-apparent disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions, from chronic pain and fatigue disorders like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, cognitive dysfunctions like ADHD, and much more. I should add that some people who have these conditions don’t even self-identify as disabled, because of the inherent stigma associated with disability itself.

However, just because someone lacks the visible markers of a disability, doesn’t mean they don’t feel the same ableist attitudes that all disabled people experience. In fact, for a person with a non-apparent disability ableist treatment might even be worse because they aren’t “believed” to be disabled. This disbelief often leads to minimization by others, contributing to a sense of isolation and misunderstanding.

Additionally, lack of accommodations and inclusion is a challenge for people with non-apparent disabilities. The world is minimally designed with physical disabilities in mind, leaving those with invisible conditions struggling to find the same level of accommodation. This unfairly and unjustly puts the burden of seeking inclusion on the disabled person.

For example, suppose someone has light sensitivity issues due to a traumatic brain injury. The lighting in their office space is causing them migraines. They are tasked with advocating for a lighting accommodation— while in pain— and risking doubt, retaliation, or employment repercussions for requesting the accommodation. And, yes, while there are federal employment laws that should protect disabled workers from such treatment, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. Additionally, even if the accommodation is granted, the employee still may experience ableist micro-aggressions from their supervisor or other co-workers.

So many people with non-apparent disabilities make the choice to say nothing at all about what they need. They struggle with their disability as they carry on with their daily life, even if it is negatively impacting their physical, mental, and social well-being. This is simply unacceptable. It is why the work of continuing to challenge and stop the negative stigma associated with disability. All people need to be encouraged to advocate for themselves for what they need to live, work and thrive as equally as their non-disabled family, friends, and co-workers.

Creating a more inclusive society where people with non-apparent disabilities will truly feel empowered to advocate for themselves and others requires intention and action from all of us. A good first step is Increasing public awareness about the spectrum of disabilities that exists. I feel strongly that no one should be forced to self-identify as disabled against their consent. However, that does not mean that specific medical diagnoses or conditions still can’t be referred to as a disability. For example, I consider ADHD a disability. But I know people with ADHD who do not consider themselves disabled. That is okay. Because I also know some people with ADHD who have no problem with saying they are disabled/have a disability.

And I believe over time, the more our advocacy creates an inclusive and stigma-free society, more people will be comfortable with self-identifying as disabled. This shift will have monumental positive impacts for the disability rights movement and the disability community at large. A few examples include more legislation and policies that promote the inclusion and advancement of disabled people; creating environments where individuals feel safe and supported in disclosing their needs without fear of judgment; and conversations that lead with belief and not doubt when someone explains that they have a non-apparent disability.

The journey toward inclusivity is ongoing, and understanding the unique experiences of those with non-apparent disabilities is a vital part of that journey. By acknowledging the challenges, advocating for positive change, and taking concrete steps towards inclusion, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of the visibility of their disability, feels recognized, valued, and supported.