On the one hand the idea of “invisible disabilities” is pretty simple: For example, if someone is impaired by cancer, no one may see their challenges, but their impairments may be very real.
On a deeper level, fascinating questions arise in this topic of “invisible disabilities.” For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a very wide definition of “disability,” so that in certain circumstances being “regarded” as disabled — even “erroneously” regarded — can at times fall within the legal definition. In other words, in some situations, experiencing discrimination because of a fictitious diagnosis can be seen as disabling.
I will be one of the moderators for a free, public webinar, and you are invited. The special guest is Rev. Suzanne Fast, who I have personally seen lead some wonderful peer support groups for Unitarian Universalists who are disabled. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion, please spread the word. We’d love to line up questions in advance:
Invisible Disabilities
Free Public Zoom Webinar
Sunday, 29 May 2022 at 12:45 pm PT
Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene Community Accessibility Task Force
You may download a flyer here:
tinyurl.com/invisible-webinar-flyer
To access the webinar live, at the start time, use this link:
Special Guest: Rev. Suzanne Fast
Co-moderated by Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu & David W. Oaks
ASL Interpreting by Patrick Galasso
Join Rev. Suzanne Fast for a discussion on “Invisible Disabilities,” and how understanding the concept is important to accessibility & inclusion, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, 29 May 2022.
The Reverend Suzanne Fast (she/her) is a Unitarian Universalist community minister focusing on disability justice, advocacy, education, and pastoral ministry, primarily through UU Association’s EqUUal Access.
She is one of the creators of the Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Program for congregations and serves on its Coordinating Committee. Rev. Fast is disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent. She is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, Florida.
We’d like to line up questions in advance. Interested? Email access@uueugene.org
We’d especially like to hear from vets who identify as having invisible disabilities.
For information about invisible disabilities, see:
https://invisibledisabilities.org/what-is-an-invisible-disability/
For the LinkedIn event:
