Hidden in Plain Sight

by Sandy Parsons

These students are CAVE volunteers. One of them has a hidden disability. Top row, left to right: Robert Alvarez, Molly Brame, Travis Sluys, Dan Batlin, Laila Schneider-Gossens, Nicole Stern. Front row, left to right: Erik Hormann, Jarred Thompson, Andrea Herman, Michele Loew, Sarah Doll, and Cydney Fong.

One in five Americans has a disability; that’s 49.7 million people (U.S. Census 2000). According to the Institute of Higher Education Policy, students with disabilities are estimated to represent 9 percent of all incoming freshmen; 1 in 11 students has a documented disability.

Of course, if you look around Chico State, you don’t “see” that many students with disabilities. That’s because students with hidden disabilities account for more than half of all freshmen with disabilities. As a result of better and more accessible evaluation as well as improved diagnosis, treatment, and support, high school students with hidden disabilities are attending college at a growing rate.

Hidden or invisible disabilities are physical or mental impairments that are not readily apparent to others. Hidden disabilities include disabilities such as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, mental illness, brain injuries, epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, and AIDS.

Since their disabilities are not obvious, students with hidden disabilities can choose whether or not to identify themselves as having a disability. On one hand, disclosure allows them to receive accommodations that can be essential to their academic success, but it opens them up to discrimination and prejudice. On the other hand, if they choose not to disclose their disability, they run the risk of being labeled as unmotivated, lazy, or just not very bright. Another challenge faced by students who have hidden disabilities is skepticism. People don’t believe them. Students with hidden disabilities are accused of exaggerating the impact of their disability. Rather than running the risk of these attitudinal prejudices, many just choose not to disclose their disability.

Until our society figures out a way to legislate attitude, students with hidden disabilities will continue to struggle with their identity as college students. In the meantime, the disability rights movement continues to advocate for a society in which differences are accepted as a normal part of the human experience. As a society, and certainly as a university, we have plenty of methods and tools to accommodate human differences, effectively making those differences less consequential.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is the most practical approach to accommodating human differences. UDL refers to the process of making course concepts and skills attainable to a greater number of students, regardless of their differing learning styles and physical, sensory, organizational, and linguistic abilities. Rather than focusing on a one-size-fits-all approach, UDL stresses flexible delivery of content, assignments, and activities. UDL makes the learning process more accessible without singling out students with disabilities.

UDL is a way to make learning more attainable for all students, including students with disabilities. If this can be accomplished, then the issues of disclosure and skepticism for students with hidden disabilities will become superfluous.

Please join the Americans with Disabilities Committee—in partnership with AS Presents, CLIC, AS Bookstore, University Diversity Efforts, University Housing, Far Northern Regional Center, The Brain Injury Task Force, and the Autism Society of Northern California—to celebrate Disability Awareness Month in October. This year’s theme is “Hidden in Plain Sight: 1 in 11 freshman report having a disability.”

Hidden in Plain Sight: Disability Awareness Month Events

Oct. 3, Noon, Free Speech Area
Jet Fuel Only
A band of local young people ages 11–13, whose talented drummer has Asperger’s syndrome. Jet Fuel Only has appeared in People Magazine and on the Rachel Ray Show. They are now working with a Hollywood scriptwriter.

October 17, BMU Auditorium
Focus Film Festival
Films featuring disability issues

October 24
Noon Conversations on Diversity
“Hidden in Plain Sight” panel of students with hidden disabilities

Other events include a disability simulation fair, movie night in the residence halls, and art in Kendall Hall. Check announcements for more details.