In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability, 80 per cent of which have a hidden disability.
Hidden disabilities or health conditions are a wide range of physical and mental conditions that are not visible or immediately obvious. They can range from a speech impediment, reduced sight, bipolar, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, autism, depression, and there are many others.
Not all disabilities are visible – some are not obvious and can make everyday life demanding for so many people. The fear of being stigmatised or not believed can often stop people from disclosing a hidden disability at work, which means they aren’t getting they support that they need when at work.
Personal Stories from Colleagues at UHP
Amanda Holland has shared her personal story about her experience as a deaf person, read it here
Read Mechelle Rowe’s personal story about her experience at work
Other resources:
UHP Discovery Library resources for Day 1
Watch this webinar recording to learn more about Understanding and supporting staff with a hidden disability from NHS Employers
Read UHPs Workforce Disability Equality Standard Reportand the NHS national report 2023.
Learn more about different workplace adjustments with this understanding workplace adjustments infographic from NHS Employers
Learn more about our UHP Health Passport here
Learn more about supporting Neurodivergent colleagues in the workplace by using our Neurodiversity Toolkit here
Have you heard of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme? Do you know what it means if you see one? Find out more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower here
Watch a video of a group of students from Southampton and step in their experience of hidden conditions.
Join our Disability and Wellbeing Staff Network, our Deaf and Hard of Hearing support group or our Neurodiversity support network here.
Become a People Inclusion Champion to support our EDI work and spread the message of inclusion.