Landing Designs NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE STICKERS

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Someone may look healthy but be hurting or struggling internally. A disability—invisible or visible— doesn’t automatically exclude someone from fully participating in society or from enjoying normal hobbies and extracurricular activities. It is not all in the person’s head. For people living with depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, some days will be worse than others. Someone can be perfectly healthy and happy one day and have a bad episode the next. Symptoms can come and go and are often unpredictable.

DPTAC. DPTAC position statement on non-visible disabilities [Internet]. GOV.UK. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee; 2020. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dptac-position-on-non-visible-disabilities/dptac-position-statement-on-non-visible-disabilities As you walk down the street or travel by bus or train, you may instantly recognise that a person is disabled. For example, they may: Going on holiday can be difficult for many autistic people where unfamiliar and overwhelming environments – like noisy, bustling airports – can cause extreme anxiety.less visible disability’ implies that the disability is partially visible, whereas in most cases it’s not visible at all December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. For 2020, " Not All Disabilities are Visible" has been chosen as a theme of this awareness campaign. You can't see invisible disabilities, yet they're very real. (Image source: @BrittNashPix via Twenty-20 - no longer available)

It acts as a reminder for us all to combat the discrimination many disabled people still face. As the Minister for Disabled People, I personally welcome the opportunity to promote awareness and discussion around improving outcomes for disabled people. Why do we celebrate IDPWD? The more work that is done to increase awareness of both visible and non-visible disabilities, the more likely we are to live in a world that promotes inclusivity and equity for non-visible disabilities. Bibliography The Invisible Disabilities Association explains that hidden or invisible disability also comes with the challenge of disbelief. Others can't see it, so they can't (or won't) understand. Misunderstandings and even insulting insinuations that one's faking or lying can be regular fears for people living with invisible illness and disability. Those with invisible illness are sometimes accused of faking their disability. (Image source: @FreedomTumZ via Twenty-20 - no longer available) representation of non-visible disabilities after she personally was criticized for not appearing disabled. 7

Awareness, Sensitivity, and Inclusion

in the UK reported having a disability. Of this number, it was estimated that 70% of the disabilities were non-visible. 4 The theme for International Day of People with Disabilities 2020 is "Not all disabilities are visible". Part of my work as Minister for Disabled People is to promote further understanding of all types of disability. This aims to open up a discussion about disabilities which are not immediately obvious. This will help to spread awareness and reduce stigma around disabilities which cannot be easily ‘seen’.