Is it possible for you to figure out if the person standing next to you is having a headache, without skiing them ? The answer would be no ! While headache is an ailment, it is also an invisible form of physical pain that can only be felt by the individual who has it.
Similarly, the word “disability” tends to paint the image of an individual walking with a cane or sitting in a wheelchair, however there are disorders and incapacities that cause invisible consequences.
While there are innumerable disabilities with masked invisibilities, however, here we shall throw some light on a few of them, and develop insight over the possible scenarios where we unconsciously end up ignoring them as a community.
PREVALENCE AND OF THE INVISIBLE DISORDERS
According to the WHO, a billion people worldwide have some form of disability, and one US survey found that 74% of those with disabilities do not use a wheelchair or anything else that may visually indicate their disability to the outside world.
An invisible or silent disability is a disability or health condition that is not readily apparent. It has the potential to defy popular perceptions of what disabled people look like. This makes it difficult for people with silent disabilities to get the help they require. Living with an invisible disability can have a minor or significant impact on someone's life.
Invisible disabilities include "Learning Difficulty, Autism, A.D.D./A.D.H.D., Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Sleep disorders, and many more," according to the Centre for Disability Rights. According to the CDR, "unless it is disclosed, no one knows for certain whether someone has an invisible disability." This evidently leads a major population of our society to make assumptions about disability all the time. The inability to "see" disability, as well as the lack of "visible" supports like canes and wheelchairs, can exacerbate such thoughts.
Society and the Indifference towards Individuals with Invisible Disabilities
A major population of our society tends to make incorrect assumptions about invisible disabilities. The inability to "see" disability, as well as the lack of "visible" supports like canes and wheelchairs, can exacerbate such thoughts.
Lack of Awareness: Many people in society are unaware of the existence of invisible disorders. The majority of schools and curriculum content do not advocate for it, and unless one has experienced it or has someone close to them who has been diagnosed with an invisible disability, they are unwilling to learn more about it.
Lack of Acceptance: Many families and parents refuse to accept that their child or any family member has a disorder or disability. They want to believe there is nothing seriously wrong with them and that this is just a phase, but instead their health deteriorates.
Labelling and Judging: When someone behaves or appears differently than the norm in any society, people around them are quick to judge, assume, and label them negatively, which is very damaging and frequently affects one's self esteem or self worth.
Shame: People in communities are often embarrassed to have someone with a disability as a member of their community. This frequently results in isolation and insulting remarks directed at the person diagnosed, with no one defending them.
Lack of Understanding: After being aware about invisible disabilities people still lack understanding about how to behave and approach those people. Instead many keep their distance, sometimes stare or talk about them behind their backs. This becomes very damaging for someone diagnosed with an invisible disability to live in a society surrounded with people who aren't willing to understand their condition and treat them like they belong.
People do not question whether others with severe mobility issues can run down the corridor to get to the door; communities do not invite people on crutches to participate in a dance (though some people can do so). But what do you think of someone who has to be protected from extreme stress because they have epileptic seizures when they are strung out? The bottom line is that each person with a disability is unique, with unique challenges and needs, as well as unique abilities and attributes. We can provide better support if we learn more about non-visible illnesses. Everyday tasks can be challenging for people with invisible disabilities. Travel, work, shopping, and socialising are examples of these.It is critical not to judge someone based on whether or not their disability is visible.It is important to listen to disabled people and ensure that accessibility is inclusive. This could help people with invisible disabilities live better lives.
