Invisible Disabilities: What They Are & How To Support Those Living With Them
Invisible disabilities are far more common than most people realise, yet they’re also some of the most misunderstood. Unlike visible conditions, invisible illnesses often come with no outward signs, leading to judgement, disbelief or discrimination. For many people with invisible disabilities, the hardest part isn’t the condition itself… it’s not being believed or feeling seen.
In this blog, we’re diving into what invisible disabilities are, how many people live with them, the challenges they face, and how we can all advocate for better understanding and support. We’ll also share helpful tools, including our free disability benefits download, that make navigating daily life a little easier.
Sophia lives with Joint Hyper-Mobility Syndrome and uses Disco Crutches
🌻 What Are Invisible Disabilities?
Invisible disabilities refer to chronic conditions, illnesses, or impairments that aren’t immediately noticeable. They may affect mobility, energy levels, cognition, sensory processing, or internal bodily functions, but because they’re not visible, many people underestimate their impact.
Some of the most common conditions on the invisible disabilities list include:
-
-
Chronic pain conditions such as:
Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome -
Neurological conditions such as:
Multiple Sclerosis, Functional Neurological Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -
Energy-limiting illnesses such as:
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid -
Mental health conditions such as:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and severe or generalised anxiety disorders -
Gastrointestinal disorders such as:
Crohn’s Disease, Coeliac Disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome -
Sensory impairments including:
hearing loss, visual impairments, and auditory processing difficulties -
Respiratory conditions such as:
severe asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
-
Invisible disabilities can be permanent, progressive, or fluctuating, and no two people’s experiences are the same.
Leanne lives with Multiple-Sclerosis and uses Poison Crutches
📊 What Percentage of Disabilities Are Invisible?
A LOT more than most people expect.
-
Around 80% of disabilities are invisible (according to multiple UK disability organisations).
-
An estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK live with a disability.
-
That means millions of people with invisible disabilities are navigating daily barriers that others never see.
Despite this, misconceptions and stigma remain widespread.
Lewis lives with Bone Cancer and uses Black Leather Effect Crutches
🚫 Invisible Disabilities & Discrimination
Because invisible symptoms aren’t visible from the outside, people with invisible disabilities often face:
-
Being dismissed or accused of exaggerating
-
Access needs not being recognised
-
Harassment for using disabled toilets, parking or priority seating
-
Judgement for using mobility aids “sometimes but not always”
-
Barriers at work due to a lack of understanding
Invisible disabilities discrimination is often unintentional, caused by assumptions, stereotypes or lack of awareness.
This is why invisible disability awareness is so important.
Flic lives with FND & POTS and uses Carbon Fibre Effect Crutches
⭐ How to Support People With Invisible Disabilities
Here are practical ways individuals, workplaces and communities can be more inclusive and aware:
1. Believe people when they talk about their symptoms
Fluctuating conditions don’t follow rules. Good days and bad days are normal.
2. Never question someone’s mobility aid use
Many conditions fluctuate. Someone may use a wheelchair one day and a walking stick the next, both are valid.
3. Don’t police disabled spaces
If someone uses a disabled toilet, priority seat or accessible entrance, assume they need it. Never judge based on appearance.
4. Encourage accessible environments
Flexible working, rest areas, accessible transport and quiet spaces matter more than you know.
Victoria lives with Chronic Pain and uses Black Glitter Crutches
❤️ Tools That Help With Invisible Disabilities
Living with an invisible disability sometimes means needing 'proof' to validate the extra support you are looking for, and tools such as these can be great for that:
-
Sunflower Lanyard – recognised across UK transport, airports, shops and attractions as a sign someone may need additional support.
👉 Get one here: https://hdsunflower.com/ -
Access Cards – provide coded symbols to show access needs for events, venues & travel.
👉 Apply here: https://www.accesscard.online/ -
Our FREE Disability Benefits Download – a online resource that helps you access all the support that is out there, that can make life a little easier.
👉 Download here: https://www.coolcrutches.com/pages/digital-download
These aids help reduce awkward conversations, advocate on your behalf, and ease anxiety in new or overwhelming environments.
Mobility aids also play an important role for many people with invisible disabilities, they aren't always required, but many people rely on them for:
-
Balance
-
Pain management
-
Fatigue support
-
Joint stability
-
Reduced risk of falls
Because these conditions aren’t visible, people with invisible disabilities often experience judgement when they use (or don’t use) mobility aids. This stigma is one of the key reasons we at Cool Crutches work hard to make mobility aids stylish, comfortable and confidence-boosting, so people feel empowered, not judged.
Ella lives with FND & Gastroparesis and uses Mystic Moon Crutches
✨ Why Invisible Disability Awareness Matters
Awareness turns into understanding.
Understanding turns into action.
Action turns into accessibility and inclusion.
When society recognises that disability is not always visible, it helps:
-
Break stigma
-
Reduce discrimination
-
Improve access
-
Increase empathy
-
Support better mental health outcomes
-
Ensure disabled people feel respected and believed
And for the millions of people with invisible disabilities, this makes a life-changing difference.
Jo lives with Endometriosis and uses Majestick Crutches
🙏 Final Thoughts
Invisible disabilities might not be noticeable at first glance, but their impact is very real. Whether you live with one or want to be a better ally, awareness and understanding are key.
Don’t forget to download our free disability support pack, designed to help you communicate your needs clearly and get the support you deserve:
👉 https://www.coolcrutches.com/pages/digital-download
And if using mobility aids helps you feel safe, stable or confident, know this:
you never need to justify your access needs to anyone.
If you would like to read more useful information on living with a disability, then we have these blogs too:
