Navigating invisible disabilities

Invisible disabilities refer to conditions that are not immediately apparent to others but significantly affect an individual’s daily life. Unlike physical disabilities that are often visible, these conditions can be overlooked or misunderstood due to their hidden nature.   

Some examples of invisible disabilities include mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, neurodivergent conditions such as autism, chronic illnesses, hearing or vision loss, and even learning disabilities like dyslexia.   

CHALLENGES FACED BY PEOPLE WITH INVISIBLE DISABILITIES 
These are some common challenges faced by people with invisible disabilities.   

Social and emotional challenges: A significant hurdle that individuals with invisible disabilities face is a lack of understanding or belief from others. People may dismiss their struggles because they "look fine" or fail to recognise the invisible nature of their condition. This scepticism can leave individuals feeling isolated, causing them to repeatedly explain or justify their condition to gain empathy or accommodations. Over time, this can take a toll on their mental and emotional health.    

Workplace challenges: In professional settings, the challenges can be just as daunting. Some employers may view their condition as a limitation rather than something that can be managed with the right support. Employers may also feel that these disabilities will reduce productivity and efficiency. Fear of stigma and negative social reactions are also reasons that discourage individuals from disclosing their disabilities, further complicating their ability to thrive at work.  

Day to day challenges: In daily life, managing symptoms while appearing "normal" to others can be exhausting. For example, someone with chronic pain might push through their discomfort to maintain appearances, only to suffer later. Similarly, those struggling with mental health challenges may put on a facade of well-being to fit in, which can exacerbate their underlying struggles. Public spaces or activities that may not be designed with invisible disabilities in mind can further compound these difficulties, inevitably creating environments that feel inaccessible and excluding.  

HOW DO I SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH INVISIBLE DISABILITIES?
These are some ways you can support people with invisible disabilities.   

Foster awareness: Education helps us to challenge any unconscious biases or inaccurate perceptions about people with invisible disabilities, which is crucial for providing support. Take the time to learn about different conditions and avoid making assumptions based on appearances. A person may not use a wheelchair or cane, but that does not mean they are not facing significant challenges.   

Practice active listening: You can help by listening actively without judgment when someone shares their experiences and validate their feelings and struggles. But remember to respect the privacy of individuals with invisible disabilities and only share information with their consent.  

Encourage inclusivity: If you are aware of someone's invisible disability, you can be a friend by respectfully advocating for their needs when appropriate and actively practicing inclusion. This could mean ensuring they are considered in group activities, suggesting adjustments that might make their participation easier, and challenging exclusionary behaviours or assumptions of others.   

Promote empathy: Cultivating empathy is imperative to understanding the often-unseen realities of invisible disabilities. Pay attention to subtle cues and body language and listen intently to what people with invisible disabilities say and do (or even what they don’t say or do). Consider and acknowledge that their daily experiences and challenges can look vastly different from our own.   

People with invisible disabilities face many unspoken hurdles everyday. Make a positive difference through gaining understanding about invisible disabilities and extending kindness and empathy!  

TOUCH Special Needs Group (TSNG) believes that every person with disabilities is valuable and aims to empower them to gain independence, social inclusion, and maximise their potential to be contributing members of society. It does that through two Day Activity Centres, a dedicated service for the Deaf and an Adult Disability Hostel, as well as programmes like TOUCH SpecialCrafts and Community Support Service. It is also the agency appointed by SG Enable to operate an Enabling Services Hub (ESH) in Jurong, in support of the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to bring community support services closer to the homes of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.    

As an advocate of mental wellness, TOUCH Mental Wellness (TMW) has been organising mental wellness awareness mass runs, talks and workshops since 2015. It works closely with corporations to conduct mental wellness talks with an aim of equipping employees with handles to cope with stress and help them build resilience. It also specialises in mental wellness awareness and educational programmes for schools. In 2018, TMW launched a Virtual Reality (VR) Immersive Experience on depression as part of its school-based mental wellness programme, Do You M.I.N.D.?. It also launched Singapore’s first-ever VR Gaming Experience to educate students on anxiety in a fun and engaging way.