Hidden Disabilities Glossary A–Z

Ableism

Ideas, attitudes, systems or practices that disadvantage disabled people or treat non-disabled ways of functioning as the default.Example: “An access barrier can be caused by ableist assumptions, not by the person.”

Access needs

Supports or conditions that help a person participate safely, fairly and meaningfully.Example: “My access needs include rest breaks and a low-noise space.”

Accessibility

Designing environments, information, services and activities so people with different needs can use and participate in them.Example: “Captions and clear layouts improve accessibility.”

Accommodation

A change or support that reduces a barrier. In New Zealand and some other countries, the term “reasonable adjustment” may be used instead.Example: “Flexible timing can be an accommodation.”

Activity pacing

Balancing activity and rest to reduce overload, symptom worsening or an energy crash.Example: “I pace tasks across the day instead of doing everything at once.”

Allodynia

Pain caused by touch or another stimulus that would not usually be painful.Example: “Light fabric can feel painful during a flare.”

Assistive technology

Tools, devices or software that support access, communication, learning, mobility or daily tasks.Example: “Speech-to-text software is assistive technology.”

Autonomic nervous system

The body system that helps regulate automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and temperature.Example: “Some conditions affect autonomic functions.”

Baseline

A person’s usual or typical level of symptoms or functioning during a relatively stable period.Example: “My baseline can change after illness or a flare.”

Brain fog

A common description for difficulty with concentration, memory, word-finding or mental clarity.Example: “Brain fog makes it harder to follow long instructions.”

Burnout

A broad term for significant exhaustion and reduced capacity after prolonged stress, demands or overload. Its meaning can vary by context.Example: “During burnout I may need fewer demands and more recovery time.”

Capacity

How much a person can realistically manage at a particular time. Capacity may change with symptoms, energy, environment or demands.Example: “My capacity is lower on high-pain days.”

Chronic illness

A long-term health condition that may be ongoing, episodic or fluctuating.Example: “My chronic illness affects energy and planning.”

Chronic pain

Pain that persists or recurs over a long period and may affect movement, sleep, concentration or daily life.Example: “Chronic pain can make concentrating harder.”

Cognitive load

The amount of mental effort being used to process information or complete a task.Example: “Too many instructions at once increase cognitive load.”

Communication fatigue

Tiredness or overload related to speaking, listening, processing language or sustained social interaction.Example: “After a long meeting I need quiet recovery time.”

Co-occurring conditions

Two or more conditions or support needs that occur in the same person.Example: “A person may have several co-occurring conditions that affect energy and access.”

Disability disclosure

Choosing whether, when and how to share disability, diagnosis or access information with another person or organisation.Example: “I disclosed my access needs so we could discuss adjustments.”

Dynamic disability

A way of describing disability or functioning that changes over time, across environments or from day to day.Example: “My mobility needs vary, so my disability is dynamic.”

Dysautonomia

An umbrella term for disorders involving dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.Example: “Dysautonomia can affect heart rate, blood pressure, temperature or digestion.”

Energy envelope

A pacing concept describing the amount of activity a person may be able to manage without significantly worsening symptoms.Example: “I try to stay within my energy envelope.”

Energy-limiting condition

A broad description for a condition in which limited or fluctuating energy substantially affects daily activities.Example: “Planning rest is important with an energy-limiting condition.”

Environmental barrier

A feature of a physical, sensory, social or digital environment that makes participation harder.Example: “Bright lighting can be an environmental barrier for some people.”

Episodic disability

A disability whose effects may come and go or vary in intensity over time.Example: “Symptoms may be disabling during episodes even if they are less noticeable between them.”

Executive dysfunction

Difficulty with skills such as starting, planning, organising, switching, remembering or completing tasks.Example: “I know what to do but still struggle to get started.”

Exacerbation (flare)

A period when symptoms become worse or more difficult to manage.Example: “Stress or overexertion can contribute to a flare for some people.”

Fatigue

Persistent or significant tiredness or exhaustion that can affect physical, cognitive or emotional functioning.Example: “Fatigue can limit how much I can manage in a day.”

Flare day

An informal term for a day when symptoms are increased and extra support, rest or flexibility may be needed.Example: “Today is a flare day, so I am reducing non-essential tasks.”

Fluctuating condition

A condition in which symptoms, energy or functioning change over time.Example: “A fluctuating condition can make rigid schedules difficult.”

Functional impact

The practical effect symptoms or barriers have on everyday activities such as learning, work, self-care, mobility or communication.Example: “Support can be based on functional impact, not appearance.”

Grace period

Extra time or flexibility provided when health, disability or another significant barrier affects a deadline or expectation.Example: “A short grace period gave me time to recover.”

Gaslighting (health context)

A term sometimes used when a person feels their symptoms, concerns or lived experience have been repeatedly dismissed, minimised or made to seem unreliable.Example: “Repeated dismissal made me doubt my own experience.”

Health literacy

The ability to find, understand and use health information and services. Accessible communication can support health literacy.Example: “Plain-language information can improve health literacy.”

Hidden disability

A disability that may not be immediately apparent to other people. It may still have significant effects on daily life and access.Example: “Pain, fatigue and processing difficulties can be hidden.”

Hyperacusis

Increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, which may feel unusually loud, uncomfortable or painful.Example: “Ordinary background noise can feel overwhelming.”

Hypermobility

Joint movement beyond the typical range. For some people it is associated with pain, instability, fatigue or injury.Example: “Hypermobility can affect stamina and comfort.”

Invisible illness

A commonly used phrase for an illness whose symptoms or effects may not be obvious to other people.Example: “Someone can have an invisible illness and still need substantial support.”

Invisible symptoms

Symptoms that other people may not be able to observe directly, such as pain, dizziness, fatigue or brain fog.Example: “My symptoms are not always visible from the outside.”

Interoception

The sense of internal body signals such as hunger, thirst, heartbeat, temperature, pain or needing the toilet.Example: “Interoception differences can affect how quickly I notice body needs.”

Job accommodations

Changes or supports at work that reduce disability-related barriers. The term “workplace adjustments” is also commonly used.Example: “Flexible start times can be a job accommodation.”

No core Hidden Disabilities glossary term is currently indexed under K. This letter is kept in the A–Z so navigation remains complete without forcing an unrelated filler term.

Language preference

The words a person prefers when talking about disability, identity, health or support needs.Example: “Ask rather than assume which disability language a person prefers.”

Lived experience

Knowledge and perspective gained through directly experiencing a condition, disability, service, barrier or life situation.Example: “Lived experience can help improve services and resources.”

Long COVID

A term used for ongoing or new symptoms that continue after a COVID-19 infection and may affect multiple body systems.Example: “Long COVID can affect stamina, cognition and daily functioning.”

Low spoons

An informal phrase based on Spoon Theory meaning that a person has limited available energy or capacity.Example: “I am low on spoons today, so I am prioritising essential tasks.”

Masking

Hiding, suppressing or compensating for symptoms, traits or support needs in order to meet expectations or avoid negative reactions.Example: “Masking can make support needs less visible to others.”

ME/CFS

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, a complex long-term illness that can include post-exertional malaise and substantial reductions in activity.Example: “Someone with ME/CFS may need careful energy management.”

Medical trauma

Distress or trauma associated with healthcare experiences such as frightening procedures, severe illness, loss of control or feeling dismissed.Example: “Previous healthcare experiences can make appointments difficult.”

Migraine

A neurological disease that can involve headache, nausea, sensory sensitivity and other neurological symptoms.Example: “Light and sound sensitivity can occur during migraine.”

Mobility aid

A device that supports movement, balance, stability or energy conservation, such as a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair.Example: “Some people use mobility aids only on higher-symptom days.”

Needs-based approach

An approach that focuses on what helps a person participate and function rather than relying only on a diagnosis or label.Example: “Let’s identify the barrier and what support would help.”

Neurodivergence (related term)

A broad term for brains that function or process information in ways that differ from dominant expectations, including many lifelong neurodevelopmental differences.Example: “Neurodivergence can overlap with hidden disability experiences.”

Non-apparent disability

Another term for a disability that is not immediately obvious to other people.Example: “Non-apparent disability does not mean minor disability.”

Occupational therapy (OT)

A health profession that supports participation in everyday activities, routines, environments and meaningful occupations.Example: “An occupational therapist may help identify ways to make daily tasks more accessible.”

Overstimulation

A state in which sensory, cognitive, emotional or social input becomes more than a person can comfortably process.Example: “A quieter space can help me recover from overstimulation.”

Pacing

Planning and balancing activity, rest and recovery to manage limited or fluctuating capacity.Example: “Pacing helps me spread tasks across the week.”

Pain flare

A period when pain becomes more intense or disruptive than usual.Example: “During a pain flare I may need extra rest or adjustments.”

Post-exertional malaise (PEM)

A worsening of symptoms after physical, cognitive, emotional or social exertion that may be delayed and can last for an extended period.Example: “Activity that seems manageable at the time can be followed by delayed symptom worsening.”

Quality of life

A broad concept describing wellbeing, comfort, autonomy, relationships, access and the ability to take part in meaningful activities.Example: “The right supports can improve quality of life.”

Reasonable accommodation

A term used in some countries for a practical change that reduces disability-related barriers in work, education, services or other settings.Example: “Flexible scheduling may be a reasonable accommodation.”

Reasonable adjustment

A practical change made to reduce a disability-related barrier. This wording is commonly used in New Zealand, the UK and other jurisdictions.Example: “A quieter workspace may be a reasonable adjustment.”

Recovery plan

A personal plan for reducing demands, supporting rest and rebuilding capacity after a flare, overload or difficult period.Example: “My recovery plan includes fewer commitments and more rest.”

Relapse

A return or worsening of symptoms after a period of improvement or relative stability.Example: “A relapse may mean that support needs increase again.”

Self-advocacy

Communicating your needs, preferences, rights or boundaries and taking part in decisions that affect you.Example: “I use a written note to self-advocate at appointments.”

Sensory sensitivity

Increased sensitivity to sensory input such as sound, light, touch, smell, movement or texture.Example: “Noise sensitivity can affect concentration and comfort.”

Spoon Theory

A metaphor used by some disabled and chronically ill people to describe limited or variable energy for everyday activities.Example: “I use Spoon Theory to explain why I need to prioritise tasks.”

Stigma

Negative stereotypes, assumptions or judgement connected with disability, illness or another identity or experience.Example: “Stigma can make it harder to ask for support.”

Support needs

The assistance, adjustments, tools, environments or services that help a person participate, communicate or manage daily life.Example: “Support needs can change from day to day.”

Symptom management

Strategies used to reduce, monitor or live with symptoms. These may include medical and non-medical approaches.Example: “My symptom-management plan includes rest and professional care.”

Treatment plan

A plan developed with relevant health professionals for managing a condition or symptoms. It may include medication, therapy, monitoring or other approaches.Example: “My treatment plan is individual to my health needs.”

Trauma-informed

An approach that recognises the possible effects of trauma and emphasises safety, trust, choice, collaboration and respect.Example: “Trauma-informed care explains what will happen and asks for consent.”

Trigger (symptom trigger)

Something that may contribute to symptoms starting or becoming worse for a particular person.Example: “Bright light can be a migraine trigger for some people.”

Universal design

Designing environments, products and services so they are usable by as many people as possible from the outset.Example: “Clear signs and step-free access are universal-design considerations.”

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

An education framework that encourages multiple ways for learners to engage with, access and demonstrate learning.Example: “Offering written and spoken instructions can support different learners.”

Unseen barrier

An obstacle that may not be obvious to other people, such as fatigue, pain, sensory load or processing demands.Example: “The stairs are visible, but the energy cost may be an unseen barrier.”

Validation

Recognising that another person’s feelings, symptoms or lived experience are real and meaningful without requiring them to prove distress.Example: “Being believed can reduce the stress of asking for help.”

Variable functioning

Changes in what a person can do across days, environments or symptom levels.Example: “Being able to do something yesterday does not guarantee I can do it today.”

Visual supports

Pictures, symbols, written prompts, checklists, schedules or other visual information that supports understanding, communication or memory.Example: “A visual schedule can make transitions more predictable.”

Wellbeing plan

A personal plan identifying helpful routines, supports, warning signs, coping strategies and people or services to contact.Example: “My wellbeing plan includes rest breaks and trusted contacts.”

Work capacity

The amount or type of work a person can manage safely and sustainably at a particular time.Example: “My work capacity changes during symptom flares.”

Workplace adjustment

A change to duties, hours, environment, communication or work processes that reduces a disability-related barrier.Example: “Remote work on some days is a workplace adjustment.”

No core Hidden Disabilities glossary term is currently indexed under X. This letter is kept in the A–Z so navigation remains complete without forcing an unrelated filler term.

No core Hidden Disabilities glossary term is currently indexed under Y. This letter is kept in the A–Z so navigation remains complete without forcing an unrelated filler term.

No core Hidden Disabilities glossary term is currently indexed under Z. This letter is kept in the A–Z so navigation remains complete without forcing an unrelated filler term.