When people hear the word ‘disability’, they typically create the image of a person in a wheelchair in their mind. However, what many people are unaware of is the fact that disability doesn’t have to be visible. Millions of disabled people around the world show no signs of disability on the outside because their disability is usually linked to their internal body system. This makes it very difficult for people with invisible disabilities to explain their situation to others and why they are entitled to use disabled facilities as much as the visibly disabled.

Invisible Disabilities – More awareness will lead to less discrimination

A recent article in Metro by Simon Robb shines a light on how people with invisible disabilities face problems describing their situation to others and are usually subject to wrong judgment as well as discrimination. Take a look at this excerpt from the article to get a better perspective.

Looking back, one of the hardest parts to deal with was people’s reactions to me using the disabled facilities – but I had little choice.

I’ve had mother’s with small children tut at me, a member of staff at a supermarket asking me why I needed access to the disabled loo, and an embarrassing confrontation with an elderly man at a coffee shop.

As you can see, a lot of people suffering from invisible disabilities are subject to wrong judgment and have a hard time explaining their situation to others. The article mentions that diseases like IBS, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative Colitis are still considered taboo subjects. However, these types of invisible disabilities make it very hard to live your daily life. This is why it is the right of everyone suffering from invisible disabilities to use disabled facilities. They should not be subject to wrong judgment and people need to understand that a disability doesn’t always have to be visible. One step towards making lives easier comes with the example of a toilet sign posted by ASDA with the text “Not every disability is visible – Accessible toilet.” The sign also shows three symbols including a man in a wheelchair emblem as well as a standard man and woman. This is mentioned in the article by Simon Robb.

Signs such as these are a great first step in educating the regular public about invisible disabilities. It also makes them more aware of the fact that even though someone might look healthy on the outside, doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering from any disabilities. It also makes the sufferer more relaxed knowing there are facilities out there for the disabled they can use as well without any guilt. Here is an excerpt from the article that gives the author’s perspective on how accessible toilets like ASDA  can reduce discrimination faced by people with invisible disabilities.

This is why disabled toilet signs, like the one in Asda, is imperative for people who look physically-abled, but beneath the surface suffer with health complications.

I’m now in remission and haven’t needed to use a disabled toilet for several years – but there are people still out there who are faced with the same discrimination I was.

Please don’t judge.

Disabilities such as IBS, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative Colitis are just some of the invisible disabilities that many people are unaware of and don’t see it as a disability. However, for someone suffering from one of these diseases, it becomes a difficult situation for them when they use the disabled facilities but then have to explain to others of why they are entitled to do so. For example, many people are unaware that someone who is suffering from Ulcerative Colitis needs to use the washroom a minimum of 15 times a day. This makes it extremely difficult for someone who is suffering from the disease and also embarrassing at times.

Therefore, life is difficult for the physically disabled as well as people suffering from invisible disabilities. What needs to happen is big companies, small businesses, and other types of organizations need to use ASDA as an example and start building accessible toilets for all types of disabilities, visible or not. A small step such as posting a sign like ASDA can do wonders as well.

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