Understanding Invisible and Dynamic Disabilities

What are invisible disabilities?

Invisible disabilities are physical, mental or neurological conditions that are not immediately apparent to others. Examples include neurodevelopmental conditions (such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia), neurological conditions, medical conditions, sensory impairments, cognitive conditions and mental health conditions. Invisible disabilities often have a significant impact upon an individual’s life and ability to perform daily activities. Just because they’re not immediately obvious, invisible disabilities are not ‘less severe’ than visible disabilities.

What are dynamic disabilities?

A dynamic disability is a condition or impairment that fluctuates over time. The severity of the condition and its impact on daily life can vary over time, potentially fluctuating several times throughout a single day. Unlike static conditions (such as an amputated leg), dynamic disabilities can be unpredictable; they often involve periods of both relative stability and substantial struggle. Common examples of dynamic disabilities include neurological conditions, auto-immune conditions, chronic pain and mental illnesses. People with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism and ADHD, may also find that their abilities fluctuate over time, as well as with changes in circumstances.

Why is awareness important?

Both invisible and dynamic disabilities are often mis-understood. Many invisible disabilities are also dynamic disabilities, and vice-versa. Because of this, many individuals with invisible and dynamic disabilities report being disbelieved and cannot access the support that they need. Employment can also be very difficult for those living with invisible and dynamic disabilities: full-time work isn’t possible for many people disabled people, and those with invisible and/or fluctuating conditions may struggle to access disability benefits due their varying abilities and seemingly healthy appearance. The majority of flexible, remote and part-time jobs require a substantial amount of experience, which is often a barrier for those who have been disabled for a long period of time. There is also a lot of stigma surrounding unemployment and the welfare system. Because people with invisible and/or dynamic disabilities often seem healthy and have days where they feel somewhat okay, they may face judgement for their employment status, despite experiencing debilitating symptoms and genuinely being unable to work a traditional job. Furthermore, due to the fluctuating nature of their condition, people with dynamic disabilities can be incorrectly assumed to be ‘unreliable’. All of these factors can lead to social isolation, abuse, neglect, poor mental health, poor physical health, barriers to appropriate medical interventions, unemployment, financial difficulties, poverty, and even homelessness.

How to support those living with invisible and dynamic disabilities

Living with disabilities can be very challenging. A supportive sense of community is essential to ensure that disabled people are less likely to face negative outcomes in life. Some ways in which you can support disabled people, especially those with invisible and dynamic disabilities, include:

·       Raising awareness of invisible disabilities and their impact on daily life

·       Promoting accessibility and inclusion

·       Asking people about their needs and catering to them

·       Challenging stigma and negative attitudes

·       Listening to those with lived experiences

·       Not pressuring people into doing things that you feel they ‘should’ be able to do

·       Not assuming a person’s abilities based upon their appearance

·       Respecting that everybody has different limitations and abilities

·       Accepting that many disabilities are dynamic and therefore unpredictable

·       Asking if there is anything you can do to make interactions and activities more accessible

Even small gestures, such as letting somebody know that you’re there for them, can go a long way. By challenging stigma and amplifying the voices of disabled people, we can work towards dismantling systems of oppression.

How to advocate for yourself

Being disabled is exhausting in itself and you don’t owe anybody an explanation. Your needs are valid regardless of how much information you share with others. That being said, if a situation arises in which you need or want to advocate for yourself, you could try the following:

·      Affirm that you don’t owe anybody details about your medical history in order to be disabled and have genuine accessibility needs

·      Request reasonable adjustments and accessibility needs

·      Share details about your condition and how it affects you, only if you want to

·      Practice respectfully saying ‘no’ to things that you are not able to do, or do not have the capacity for

·      Affirm that it isn’t selfish to have needs and limitations, or to request accommodations

Setting boundaries and advocating for yourself can feel unnatural at first. Many of us are brought up to believe that setting boundaries, talking about our struggles and requesting accommodations is burdensome, but this simply isn’t the case. Your needs are valid, and it isn’t selfish to voice them; those who are worthy of your time will understand. By bringing disabilities, accessibility needs and lived experiences into conversation, we can shed light on issues that have previously been buried and help to create a more inclusive, accessible society.

-              Kirsty Marie