Non-Apparent Disabilities
BMAC has updated our campaign language to be inclusive of ‘non-apparent’ over ‘invisible’ terminology to be in support of affirming a person’s disability existence and experience.
CSULB is Embracing the Sunflower as a Symbol of Non-Apparent Disabilities on Campus.
If you see a student wearing a sunflower or any Elbee and the Sunflower merchandise, know they may be a person with a non-apparent disability and may need additional support or they may be sharing their allyship of individuals with non-apparent disabilities.
Read more to learn about: what a Non-Apparent Disability is, the Non-Apparent Disabilities Sunflower, and some do’s and don’ts.
Some disabilities are non-apparent, meaning, the conditions or impacts of the disability are not necessarily observable to others. Non-apparent disabilities can be physical, mental, or neurological, and their conditions significantly affect daily activities such as studying, working, shopping, and transportation. Although there are challenges, people with non-apparent disabilities can function actively in their schools, workplaces, families, and hobbies. However, individuals with non-apparent disabilities may need understanding and support from others so that they can achieve their goals in life.
The sunflower has become a symbol for people with non-apparent disabilities. Many European airports have adopted the use of a green lanyard with sunflowers as a symbol to airport staff to signify a person with a non-apparent disability. You can read more about this on the BBC’s digital platform The Social. Wearing the sunflower as a symbol of a non-apparent disability also allows people with a non-apparent disability to disclose that they have a non-apparent disability without having to disclose the specific disability
- Alzheimer’s
- Aphasia
- Asthma
- Autism
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Coeliac Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diabetes (Type 1 And 2)
- Dyslexia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Endometriosis
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Functional Neurological Disorder
- Hemophilia
- Long-Covid
- Lupus
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myalgic Encephalopathy
- Narcolepsy
- Parkinson’s
- Scleroderma
- Stuttering
- Tourette Syndrome
| DO's | DON'T's |
|---|---|
| Do use Person First Language. | Don’t label (e.g., deaf man, blind woman). |
| Do ask before you assist, and respect the answer you receive. | Don’t assume a person needs help or try to assist without their permission. |
| Do focus on the person, not their disability or assistive devices. | Don’t touch assistive devices or service dogs without asking first. |
| Be supportive and respectful. | Don’t think of disability as a tragedy or problem. |
| Do recognize that some disabilities are invisible. | Don’t assume the absence of disability if you don’t see one. |
| Do offer resources and remove barriers. | Don’t impose limitations or assume what a person with a disability can or cannot do. |
| Do relax and be yourself. | Don’t pity or admire. |
Let us know what questions you have about disabilities. We'll answer these questions in our FAQ section.
