{"id":32515,"date":"2026-10-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=oasis-news&p=32515"},"modified":"2026-10-13T16:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:10:19","slug":"you-cant-always-see-a-disability-understanding-invisible-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"oasis-news","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/oasis-news\/you-cant-always-see-a-disability-understanding-invisible-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"You can\u2019t always see a disability: Understanding invisible disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reading time: 3 minutes.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all disabilities are visible. This Invisible Disabilities Week, learn more about invisible disabilities, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and how small acts of understanding can help create a more inclusive Curtin community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an invisible disability?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An invisible disability is a disability or health condition that isn\u2019t immediately obvious to others but can affect someone\u2019s everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can include chronic pain, neurodivergence, mental health conditions, hearing loss, epilepsy, Long COVID and many other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because these disabilities aren\u2019t always visible, people may face assumptions about their experiences, abilities or support needs. Someone might appear fine on the outside while managing pain, fatigue, sensory overload or other challenges that others cannot see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisible doesn\u2019t mean less real.<\/strong> Everyone\u2019s experience is different, and no one should have to prove their disability or explain their personal circumstances to be treated with understanding and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenging common misconceptions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Comments such as \u201cYou don\u2019t look disabled\u201d, \u201cYou look fine\u201d or \u201cBut you did it yesterday\u201d may seem harmless, but they can dismiss someone\u2019s lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person\u2019s capacity can vary from day to day. They may need support in some situations but not others, and what works for one person may not work for someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than making assumptions based on appearances, we can listen to people, respect what they share about their needs and recognise that everyone experiences university life differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower<\/a> is a voluntary symbol that people with non-visible disabilities can choose to wear to indicate that they may need additional support, understanding, time or patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is recognised in many settings around the world and can help communicate that someone may need a little extra consideration without having to explain their circumstances straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not everyone with an invisible disability wears a Sunflower, and wearing one does not mean someone needs help all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you see someone wearing a Sunflower<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A few simple actions can make a difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n