Invisible Disabilities – On-Demand Training

Understand the Expansive Definition of ADA to Accommodate Students & Ensure Success

With the growing number of students with disabilities on today’s college campuses, it’s easy to recognize the need for accommodations for those with visible disabilities or those who use assistive devices. However, many students live with invisible or non-apparent disabilities—conditions that aren’t outwardly visible but can significantly impact daily life. These students may be sitting quietly in classrooms or residing in residence halls, struggling to seek the support they need out of fear they won’t be believed or understood.

Because their disabilities are not immediately visible, students with nonapparent conditions often feel overlooked or unsupported—especially when compared to peers whose disabilities are more easily seen. Yet these students are equally protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and equally entitled to reasonable accommodations and campus support.

Our expert presenter – whose expertise is in disability management and the implementation of reasonable accommodations – will help you strategize to develop and foster a culture of accessibility and inclusion for students with invisible disabilities.

This session is ideal for staff, faculty, and administrators. Learn best practices around language, how to support the “disabilities we can’t see,” and how to facilitate accommodations in a way that’s more student-centered and proactive. Strengthen your institution’s support system, reduce misunderstandings or complaints, and create a more inclusive campus environment for all students.

Topics Covered

Gain specific, actionable strategies to help you:

• Understand the legal definition of disability under the ADA and other relevant laws—recognize that this broad definition includes many nonapparent conditions, helping your institution prevent complaints and avoid potential legal issues.
• Explore language and disability etiquette — educate faculty, staff, and administrators on how to speak respectfully about nonapparent disabilities and avoid comments that may be unintentionally hurtful or discriminatory.
• Navigate the interactive reasonable accommodation process — learn how to better support students whose disabilities may not be immediately visible to faculty, staff, and even peers, and advocate for their needs with empathy and confidence.
• Establish a disability liaison or accessibility champions program — position key academic and student service areas to support and streamline the accommodation process for students with invisible disabilities.
• Develop a peer mentoring program — help incoming students with disabilities feel welcomed, understood, and supported as they transition into campus life.

Presenter

Leigh Davis Fickling is the Deputy Director of the Title IX and Clery Compliance and an Accommodations Consultant at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Click here for full bio.