“You’re faking it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“You look like me.”
These stigmatizing comments are often directed at people with invisible or unseen disabilities. Invisible disabilities can include physical, mental or neurological challenges such as mental health issues, epilepsy, learning disabilities or autism.
According to Frank Cammarata, Executive Director, Erie County Office for People with Disabilities, a disability is apparent if someone is using a mobility device or is visually impaired. However, people with disabilities that are not visible often face stigma, misunderstanding, and judgement.
People with non-visible disabilities may experience discrimination and stigma at work, school, and in the community.
Cammarata conducts regular training sessions for Erie County employees to create awareness and break down stereotypes. He stresses “The Golden Rule” to treat others the way you want to be treated. Even if you are not aware of a disability, someone could be facing physical or mental challenges.
“The goal is to raise awareness and change the mindset about hidden disabilities,” Cammarata said. “People tend to make a snap judgement about people they encounter in a restaurant, classroom or office.”
According to Cammarata, people with disabilities—both visible and hidden—are not looking for sympathy, they are seeking empathy.
“The more awareness we can create, the more accepting of a society we can build,” he said.
The Anti-Stigma Coalition and its more than 100 members continue to fight the stigma of mental illness by sharing stories and information to encourage people to speak up and request help.
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Your Invisible Disability is part of who you are, but it is hard to find people who can understand. People will often discredit it or question it. For invisible disabilities, we lack the signs, language, and frameworks to talk about the existence of disabilities that are unseen every day throughout the country.”
From Invisible Disability Project, an online support community:
