Support That Sees the Unseen
You likely know someone with an invisible, hidden disability, or non-apparent disorder!
Welcome to Our World
The Change Coalition empowers Canadians with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities through advocacy, education, and inclusive support, helping create communities where everyone can thrive.
Welcome Video
In this introductory video, Marcel Allen, Founder and Executive Director of The Change Coalition, shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind creating a movement that supports Canadians living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities . Through lived experience, advocacy, and community collaboration, Marcel highlights the importance of awareness, inclusion, and breaking down barriers.
Share A Story
Your story has the power to inspire, educate, and create change. We invite individuals, families, caregivers, and allies to share their experiences living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities . By sharing your journey, you help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind others that they are not alone.
Welcome to the Community
The Change Coalition is building a stronger, more inclusive Canada through community partnerships that support people living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities. By working together with organizations, businesses, and individuals, we raise awareness, reduce barriers, and create meaningful opportunities where everyone belongs.
Change Coalition: the sunflower index of hidden disabilities
Understanding What You Can’t Always See
The Change Coalition is a proud ambassador for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, helping increase awareness and understanding of invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Index provides information about a wide range of non-visible disabilities and conditions, helping people better understand their own needs and those of others.
why almost 1 in 5 canadians affected?
Why The Change Coalition Supports Our Numbers?
What Are Invisible Disabilities?
Invisible, hidden, or non-apparent disabilities may not be immediately noticeable but can significantly affect daily life, education, employment, health, and community participation.
They can include chronic illnesses, mental health disabilities, learning disabilities, neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, and chronic pain.
More Common Than You Think
About 27% of Canadians aged 15+ have at least one disability. Research suggests 70–80% of disabilities may be non-visible, meaning roughly 1 in 5 Canadians could be living with an invisible disability.
Hidden Disabilities, Real Barriers
Without visible signs, people may face misunderstanding, stigma, isolation, and difficulty accessing accommodations and support. The true number may be even higher because many disabilities are undiagnosed or undisclosed.
Why It Matters
The Change Coalition believes greater awareness creates greater inclusion. Understanding invisible disabilities helps remove assumptions, reduce barriers, and build communities where everyone can participate equitably.
Sources
Statistics Canada — Canadian Survey on Disability (2022)
27% of Canadians aged 15+ report having a disability.
UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology — Invisible Disabilities in Education and Employment (2022)
Research estimates approximately 70–80% of disabilities are non-visible.
To Learn More:
Transforming Communities with Innovation and Care
Why do those with invisible or hidden conditions go unnoticed?
Why do those with invisible or hidden conditions go unnoticed?
Invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities often go unrecognized because they are not immediately visible. This can lead to misunderstanding and barriers to support. The Change Coalition promotes awareness, advocacy, and community partnerships to create more inclusive and accessible communities for individuals living with invisible, hidden, or non-apparent disabilities.
Age and Invisible Disabilities
Why do those with invisible or hidden conditions go unnoticed?
As Canada’s population ages, more older adults are living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities. Conditions such as chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive changes, and mobility challenges may not be visible but can greatly impact daily life.
The Change Coalition promotes awareness, accessibility, and inclusion to ensure older adults with invisible disabilities are supported with dignity and respect.
Philanthropy + Innovation = Change²
Philanthropy + Innovation = Change²
Change² (Change Squared) is the idea that social impact grows exponentially when philanthropy and innovation work together. Philanthropy provides the funding and support needed to create change, while innovation introduces new ideas, technologies, and approaches that improve outcomes.
At The Change Coalition, Change² helps advance inclusion for people living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities by combining community investment with innovative solutions that create lasting, measurable impact across Canada.