Have you ever heard…
“But you don’t look disabled…”
“You seem fine — why do you need support?”
“Isn’t the NDIS just for people in wheelchairs?”
These comments are frustrating, hurtful, and often based on outdated ideas of what disability looks like.
The reality?
Many disabilities are invisible. And your right to support is valid — even when it’s not obvious to others.
This blog explores how to respond when people question your NDIS access, and how to advocate for yourself with confidence and clarity.
An invisible disability is a condition that affects a person’s ability to function — but may not be immediately visible. Examples include:
These conditions can impact:
According to the ABS, 4.4 million Australians have a disability — and many are not visibly apparent.
People often assume disability is visible — like using a wheelchair or having a mobility aid. So when they see someone without those markers accessing support, they might:
It’s uncomfortable — but it doesn’t mean you owe anyone proof.
Let’s be clear:
You’re not obligated to justify your support to:
NDIS access is based on functional impact, not appearance.
If someone asks rudely or questions your support, it’s okay to respond with:
“Not all disabilities are visible.”
“My needs are assessed by professionals — I’m supported through the NDIS.”
“I don’t need to explain my health or disability to you.”
How you respond matters. Use neutral or confident language:
🚫 “I’m sorry, I know I don’t seem disabled.”
✅ “I access support for my condition — it’s just not visible.”
It can help to have a go-to script ready. For example:
“I have a condition that impacts my daily life in ways you might not see. The NDIS helps me manage that better.”
You can also say:
“It’s personal, but yes, I access disability supports.”
“I have support needs that don’t show up on the outside.”
Some people genuinely don’t understand. If you’re in the right space, it can be helpful to explain:
But if the person is aggressive, dismissive, or repeatedly rude, it’s okay to disengage. You don’t need to be the educator every time.
Zoe uses the NDIS to access psychology, OT, and support workers. Her condition fluctuates — some days she’s in bed, other days she’s at uni or the beach.
When a classmate questioned her funding, she calmly said:
“I live with chronic fatigue and ADHD. The NDIS helps me regulate my energy and manage executive functioning. Just because I look fine today doesn’t mean I’m fine every day.”
That one sentence shifted the conversation — and built understanding.
You are:
✅ Allowed to receive support for invisible disabilities
✅ Not required to disclose your diagnosis
✅ Protected under the Disability Discrimination Act
✅ Entitled to privacy, dignity, and respect
The NDIS is about equity — not appearances.
We support participants with:
✅ Advocacy training and scripts
✅ Templates for self-advocacy emails
✅ Confidence coaching for young people
✅ Language support for cultural stigma around disability
Your support is valid. We’ll help you communicate that with clarity and confidence.
Disability isn’t always visible.
You might not look disabled — but that doesn’t make your struggles or needs any less real.
Whether you explain or not is your choice. But when you do, lead with truth — not guilt.
“You don’t look disabled” isn’t a compliment.
It’s a misunderstanding. And we’re here to change that.
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