Invisible Disability

Invisible Disability

Invisible disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Some people with visual or auditory disabilities who do not wear glasses or hearing aids, or discreet hearing aids, may not be obviously disabled. Some people who have vision loss may wear contacts. A sitting disability is another category of invisible impairments; sitting problems are usually caused by chronic back pain. Those with joint problems or chronic pain may not use mobility aids on some days, or at all.

Invisible disabilities can also include chronic illnesses and conditions, such as renal failure, color blindness, diabetes, epilepsy, asthma and sleep disorders if those ailments significantly impair normal activities of daily living. Other invisible disabilities include, but are not limited to AIDS/HIV, Schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, cancer, allergies, and autism. In the United States, 96% of people with chronic medical conditions show no outward signs of their illness, and 10% experience symptoms that are considered disabling.