Hidden / Invisible Disabilities
Students with Disabilities in Your Class
Students with hidden/invisible disabilities such as learning disabilities (LD), emotional and psychiatric disabilities, ADD/ADHD and those suffering from chronic pain are among the fastest growing category of students with documented disabilities attending postsecondary institutions.
Invisible disabilities are not immediately apparent. It is typically more difficult for faculty and staff to understand and accept requests for accommodations for students with invisible disabilities.
We all intuitively understand that a student using a wheelchair needs a ramp to have access to a building. This ramp is considered a reasonable accommodation.
It is the same principle of equal access that fuels a demand for accommodations for students with invisible disabilities.
Nontraditional Students
Another population is nontraditional students with disabilities. This includes:
- Students who are primary caregivers to young children or elderly relatives.
- Students who have spent considerable time in the workforce between high school and college.
- Students who are financially responsible for feeding their families.
- Students who did not grow up in the United States and whose first language is not English.
- Students from "culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds."
- Students from cultures that may not value or encourage self advocacy, asserting disability-related needs, and speaking up in class or negotiating with faculty.
