What is an invisible disability?
Not every disability is obvious or visible from the outside. Some physical, mental, or neurological conditions impact people’s movements, senses, or activities but are not symptoms that can be seen by others. Debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences, mental health disorders, and hearing and vision impairments are all symptoms that can be associated with invisible disabilities.
Why should we know the difference between “visible” and “invisible” disabilities?
When a disability is invisible, and someone “looks fine” on the outside, it can lead to misunderstandings, false accusations, and judgements. Not everyone with a severe disability uses assistive equipment, though that is often how others internally define and recognize a disability. Disabilities can impact lives in various ways and to varying extents. Some people with disabilities can work full or part-time, while others may not be able to maintain employment and struggle with daily tasks.
When people cannot see a disability, they may have high expectations of one’s abilities. On the other hand, people can see a disability (for example, a wheelchair user) they may have low expectations about one’s abilities. Both of these assumptions may be incorrect and can be frustrating for those with the visible or invisible disability.
Invisible Disabilities Week aims to bring awareness, education, and support to family, friends, co-workers, and community members of those with invisible disabilities.
Resources at UBC:
The Disability Affinity Group at UBC is a community of disabled folks associated with both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. This group aims to support each other, share stories and resources, and take actions to improve the lives of UBC colleagues. The group is comprised of faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, past employees, and others with a connection to UBC. You can read about the origins of the group here.
The Centre for Workplace Accessibility (CWA) is a hub for resources, tools, and programs that help remove barriers for faculty and staff with disabilities or ongoing medical conditions.
On Monday, October 27th and Thursday, October 30th, IKBLC’s current scholar-in-residence, Jennifer Gagnon, will be leading the second round of the Disability Justice Book Club. This book club explores themes of disability justice, ableism, allyship, and more. There are two available cohorts to join: The Disability Allies Cohort on October 27, 2025 and the Disabled and Proud Cohort on October 30, 2025.
In 2024, the CRA hosted a panel discussion on Invisible Disability in the Workplace featuring four UBC employee panelists with lived experiences. This event was recorded and is still accessible as a Canvas course.
Other resources:
The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) is a nonprofit organization that aims to change the way the world sees disability, as the frequently invisible nature of illness and pain may lead to disbelief by those surrounding the person with a disability and can lead to many challenges.
The IDA offers many resources to those living with an invisible disability. The Invisible Disabilities Community is an online community that connects patients, families, friends, and caregivers for support and inspiration. The Programs 4 People page provides online access to resources, programs, and services from private, non-profit, and governmental agencies for people living with debilitating conditions.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is a program developed by the Vancouver International Airport to support passengers with invisible disabilities who need extra patience, care, and assistance during travel.
UBC Library Materials:
Kattari, S. K., Olzman, M., & Hanna, M. D. (2018). You look fine!: Ableist experiences by people with invisible disabilities. Affilia, 33(4), 477-492. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109918778073 [Available at UBC Library]
Mailhot, T. M., & ProQuest (Firm). (2018). Heart berries: A memoir (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Circus. [Available at UBC Library]
O’Rourke, M., & ProQuest (Firm). (2022). The invisible kingdom: Reimagining chronic illness (1st ed.). Riverhead Books. [Available at UBC Library]
Price, D. (2022). Unmasking autism: Discovering the new faces of neurodiversity (First ed.). Harmony Books. [Available at UBC Library]
Price, M., OAPEN, e-Duke Books Scholarly Collection 2024, DOAB: Directory of Open Access Books, & JSTOR eBooks: Open Access. (2024). Crip spacetime: Access, failure, and accountability in academic life. Duke University Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Web sources consulted:
Invisible Disabilities Association. (n.d.). What Is An Invisible Disability? Invisible Disabilities® Association. Retrieved October 2, 2025, from https://invisibledisabilities.org/what-is-an-invisible-disability/