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Comfort, Dignity and Support for Invisible or Hidden Disabilities
You likely know someone with an invisible or hidden disability, and it's time for us to change Canada by advocating for great
1 in 5 canadians affected?
Why The Change Coalition Supports the numbers.
What Are Invisible Disabilities?
Invisible disabilities are conditions that impact daily life without obvious outward signs. Examples include chronic pain, mental health issues, memory impairments, and autoimmune diseases.
How Common Are They?
Did you know that approximately 80% of disabilities are invisible, hidden, or non-apparent? According to Canadian disability statistics, approximately 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older identify as having a disability. Based on these figures, in a group of 100 people, approximately 22 individuals may be living with an invisible disability, while 78 individuals may not have a disability.
In other words, roughly 1 in every 5 people may be living with a hidden challenge that is not immediately visible to those around them. These individuals often face barriers, misconceptions, and a lack of understanding because their disabilities cannot be seen. This makes awareness, education, inclusion, and support more important than ever.
It is also important to recognize that these numbers may not tell the whole story. Many Canadians living with invisible disabilities may be unable to formally report their condition. Some may face barriers to healthcare access, including difficulty obtaining a diagnosis or finding a healthcare professional. Others may choose not to disclose their disability due to privacy concerns, fear of stigma, workplace discrimination, or personal circumstances.
As a result, we believe the commonly cited estimate of 1 in 5 individuals living with an invisible disability may actually underrepresent the true number of people affected.
Why They Go Unnoticed
Invisible disabilities often go unnoticed due to fluctuating or intermittent conditions, such as chronic fatigue, anxiety, and autoimmune flare-ups. Social stigma can lead individuals to hide their conditions, and the lack of visible signs means others frequently misunderstand or underestimate their impact.
Age and Invisible Disabilities
Canadians aged 50 and older comprise about 40% of the population. Disability becomes increasingly common with age; 40.4% of Canadians aged 65 and older have at least one disability. Most disabilities in this age group are invisible, including pain, memory issues, and flexibility challenges. Many seniors face multiple conditions, which further increases the invisibility of their struggles.
Philanthropy + Innovation = Change in Canada
By supporting change organizations, we can foster a better understanding and awareness of invisible disabilities, leading to meaningful change across Canada.
To Learn More:
the invisible community
Share Your Story
Para-Powered Crew
Share Your Story
Every individual has a unique lived experience that can contribute to greater understanding, awareness, and inclusion within our communities. Sharing personal experiences related to disability, chronic illness, mental health, neurodiversity, or other life challenges can help educate the public, reduce stigma, and foster a more accessible and inclusive society.
At Change Coalition, we believe that storytelling is a powerful educational tool. By sharing experiences, individuals help increase public awareness of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and other marginalized communities while promoting understanding, empathy, and social inclusion.
We encourage participants to share their stories in a manner that is comfortable, respectful, and authentic. Every voice matters, and every story has the potential to inform, educate, and inspire positive change.
By contributing your story, you are helping to create a community resource that promotes public education, advances understanding of visible and invisible disabilities, and supports a culture where all individuals are recognized, valued, and included.
Your experiences are not defined by challenges alone—they reflect resilience, perseverance, and the diverse contributions that individuals make to society. Together, through education, awareness, and community engagement, we can help break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and build more inclusive communities for everyone.
Community Work
Para-Powered Crew
Share Your Story
At Change Coalition, our goal is to support individuals living with invisible disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and other non-apparent challenges by fostering inclusive, informed, and supportive communities.
Through our community initiatives, we strive to provide education, awareness, practical assistance, and opportunities for meaningful participation that help individuals overcome barriers and reach their full potential. We believe that every person deserves access to the resources, understanding, and support necessary to participate fully in community life.
Our work focuses on reducing stigma, increasing public awareness, promoting accessibility, and encouraging social inclusion. By connecting individuals with community resources, educational opportunities, peer support, and collaborative programs, we help create environments where people feel recognized, valued, and empowered.
As part of our commitment to community well-being, we organize and support the collection and donation of food, clothing, personal care items, and other essential resources for individuals and families experiencing hardship. Through partnerships with organizations such as LifeCentre Food Bank and Operation Come Home, we help direct donated items to community members in need, contributing to efforts that address food insecurity, poverty, and barriers to social participation.
Together, we can help make invisible disabilities and other non-apparent conditions more widely understood, strengthen community connections, and build a culture of compassion, respect, and inclusion that benefits everyone.
Through community engagement, public education, charitable giving, volunteerism, and collaborative partnerships, we are working toward a future where all individuals have the opportunity to contribute, participate, and thrive.
Para-Powered Crew
Para-Powered Crew
Change Coalition is proud to partner with the Para Powered Crew (PPC), an organization dedicated to promoting inclusion, accessibility, teamwork, and community participation through adaptive paddling and recreational activities.
Born from a passion for removing barriers and creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities, the Para Powered Crew demonstrates how sport and recreation can foster confidence, social connection, physical well-being, and community engagement. While the team's achievements have reached the international stage, its foundation remains firmly rooted in the Ottawa community.
The Change Coalition is honoured to be part of this journey by supporting initiatives that encourage participation, inclusion, and equal access to recreational opportunities. Through this partnership, we help raise awareness of the diverse experiences and abilities that exist within our communities.
Many members of the Para Powered Crew live with visible and invisible disabilities, chronic health conditions, or other non-apparent challenges. Their experiences highlight the importance of recognizing that not all disabilities are immediately visible and that meaningful inclusion begins with understanding, respect, and accessibility.
By sharing stories, promoting awareness, and supporting inclusive recreation, the Para Powered Crew helps educate the public about disability, challenge misconceptions, and demonstrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of individuals living with both visible and hidden disabilities.
Together, Change Coalition and the Para Powered Crew are working to build communities where all individuals have the opportunity to participate, belong, contribute, and thrive, regardless of ability or diagnosis.
Partners
Recipients
At The Change Coalition, we are committed to advancing public understanding, inclusion, and support for individuals across Canada living with invisible and non-apparent conditions, including disabilities, chronic health conditions, and mental health challenges. These conditions may not always be visible, but they can significantly impact daily life, participation, and well-being.
Our work is grounded in a commitment to bridging awareness and action through community-based programs, educational initiatives, and collaborative partnerships that promote accessibility, inclusion, and informed understanding.
Through partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and local initiatives, we support efforts that enhance public education, reduce stigma, and improve access to resources. These initiatives may include wellness education, adaptive recreation, mental health awareness programming, and other community-based supports designed to promote inclusion and participation.
A portion of community support and donated resources may also assist in facilitating access to essential items and programs for individuals experiencing barriers to participation, including those related to financial hardship or disability-related needs.
Your engagement and support help strengthen a more compassionate, informed, and inclusive society, where individuals living with invisible and visible disabilities are recognized, respected, and supported in their full participation in community life.
We invite individuals and organizations to collaborate, contribute, and participate in building a Canada where invisible conditions are understood, barriers are reduced, and inclusion is a shared responsibility.
Recipients
Recipients
Recipients
At The Change Coalition, we are committed to advancing public benefit initiatives that support individuals living with invisible and non-apparent disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental health challenges across Canada. Our work is guided by a mission to promote inclusion, accessibility, awareness, and community well-being through practical, community-based programs.
Over the past year, we have supported a range of initiatives designed to reduce barriers and enhance community participation, including the distribution of comfort-focused touch quilts, the delivery of community-based tax clinics to support financial literacy and reduce financial barriers, and the coordination of donations of food and essential items to community organizations such as LifeCentre Food Bank to assist individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Each of these initiatives reflects our commitment to public education, social inclusion, and the reduction of barriers faced by individuals living with invisible disabilities and other non-apparent conditions. By addressing both practical needs and broader awareness, we aim to foster a more compassionate, informed, and accessible society.
Looking ahead, we are focused on expanding our reach to support a greater number of individuals and communities through enhanced programming, increased outreach, and strengthened partnerships that advance inclusion and community well-being.
We invite individuals, organizations, and community partners to join us in this mission. Through donation, sponsorship, and volunteer engagement, you help support initiatives that strengthen communities, promote accessibility, and contribute to a more inclusive Canada where all individuals are recognized, supported, and able to participate fully in community life..
Contact Us
Recipients
Recipients
At The Change Coalition, we are committed to fostering open communication, accessibility, and community engagement. We welcome questions, feedback, and suggestions from individuals, community members, and partner organizations who share an interest in advancing inclusion, awareness, and support for individuals living with invisible and non-apparent disabilities and related conditions.
Engaging with the public helps us strengthen our programs, improve accessibility, and ensure our initiatives continue to reflect the needs of the communities we serve. Your input contributes to our broader mission of public education, stigma reduction, and the promotion of inclusive communities across Canada.
Whether you are seeking information about our programs, interested in collaboration, or simply wish to share your thoughts, we encourage you to reach out. We aim to respond in a timely and respectful manner.
Together, we can continue to build a more compassionate, informed, and accessible society where all individuals are recognized, valued, and supported.