Breaking the Wall

 Individuals living with invisible, hidden, or non-apparent disabilities—including chronic health conditions, neurological differences, mental health conditions, and episodic disorders—may experience significant barriers that are not immediately visible to others. These lived experiences can affect participation in education, employment, community engagement, and daily activities.

The Share a Story initiative supports the collection and dissemination of personal experiences to advance public understanding, reduce stigma, and promote accessibility and inclusion.

1. Enhancing Public Awareness and Understanding
Sharing lived experience helps to improve public knowledge of invisible disabilities and the functional impacts they may have. This contributes to reducing misconceptions and promoting informed, respectful interactions.

2. Supporting Community Connection and Inclusion
Personal narratives can highlight shared experiences among individuals living with similar conditions, fostering peer understanding, community connection, and social inclusion.

3. Advancing Empowerment and Self-Advocacy
The opportunity to share lived experience supports individuals in articulating their needs and perspectives. This contributes to self-advocacy, dignity, and increased participation in community life.

4. Informing Systemic Awareness and Accessibility Efforts
Aggregated lived experience can assist in identifying systemic barriers and informing future accessibility initiatives, program development, and inclusive practices across sectors.

Participation in sharing a personal story is voluntary and self-directed. Individuals may choose what information to share, how to share it, and when to withdraw or limit participation. All contributions are valued within the context of promoting respect, inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The Change Coalition recognizes that individuals with invisible disabilities may experience fluctuating or episodic barriers that are not readily apparent. This initiative affirms that lived experience is a meaningful contributor to community education, inclusion, and the reduction of disability-related stigma.

Through the sharing of lived experience, this initiative seeks to strengthen understanding, promote accessibility, and support a more inclusive society for individuals with visible and invisible disabilities alike.