10/20/2025
🦋 Invisible Disability Awareness Week 🦋
This week was created so we can bring light to the invisible struggles many face every day. The Invisible Disability Association began in 2014
What Is an Invisible Disability⁉
Invisible disabilities are physical, mental, or neurological conditions whose symptoms aren’t obvious at first glance — but they still impact daily life. Examples include:
• Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD)
• Chronic pain and fatigue (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome)
• Neurological disorders (autism, epilepsy, ADHD)
• Learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia)
• Sensory impairments (partial hearing or vision loss not easily seen)
📢 In Canada, about 8 million people (≈ 27% of the population) live with some form of disability. Estimates indicate that around 80% of people with disabilities have an invisible one.
The Challenges Many Face ☹️ Because their condition is hidden, people with invisible disabilities often deal with:
🔹 Misunderstanding & judgment — being told “you look fine,” or accused of exaggerating
🔹 Difficulty getting support — having to ‘prove’ the need before accommodations are given
🔹 Stigma & discrimination — missed opportunities at school, work, or socially, simply because others can’t see the difficulties
These barriers can lead individuals to hide their symptoms, avoid asking for help, and suffer in silence.
Why This Week Matters ❤️
🔹 Teach & share what invisible disabilities are.
🔹 Challenge myths (e.g. “You’d know if someone had a disability,” or “They just need more willpower”)
🔹 Offer platforms for people with lived experience to be heard and believed.
🔹 Encourage more inclusive policies, better supports, and more empathy in schools, workplaces, and communities.
👉 Invisible Disability Awareness Week Resources:
https://ymhc.ngo/blogs/news/invisible-disability-awareness-week-bringing-awareness-education-and-support
Let’s make the invisible, visible 💜
