The Importance of Teaching Children About Visible and Invisible Disabilities
- Nicole Johnson
- Mar 2
- 4 min read
Why Early Education on Disability Inclusion Matters
March is Disability Awareness Month and an opportunity to educate children, parents, and educators about the many different types of disabilities and the importance of inclusion. At Live Joyfully Education (LJE), we believe that fostering understanding at a young age is key to creating a world where everyone—regardless of ability—can truly live joyfully.
Understanding Disability in the U.S.
According to recent estimates:
76.7 million people in the U.S. have a disability.
12.2 million of them are children.
Disabilities can be visible or invisible, affecting mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, mental health, and more.
One of the most important lessons we can teach children is that there are thousands of different disabilities—some visible, some invisible.
Without this understanding, children may unintentionally exclude their peers simply because they do not recognize their unique needs. Teaching disability inclusion early allows children to grow into compassionate, empathetic adults who support and embrace diversity in all forms.
Understanding the Many Types of Disabilities
Disabilities are often grouped into broad categories, each encompassing various conditions. Let’s break down these categories and highlight the impact each has on individuals.
1. Mobility Disabilities
Mobility disabilities affect a person’s ability to move around freely. Some individuals use wheelchairs, walkers, or braces, while others may experience chronic pain that limits mobility.
Examples: Spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, arthritis, limb loss
How Many Are Affected? Approximately 13.7% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability, and an estimated 300,000 children use wheelchairs.
2. Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities
These disabilities affect how a person learns, processes information, and interacts with the world. Some individuals may need additional support in school or social settings, but they each have unique strengths.
Examples: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), ADHD
How Many Are Affected? Around 1 in 6 children (12.2 million in the U.S.) has a developmental disability.
3. Hearing Disabilities
Hearing loss can range from mild to profound, and some individuals use hearing aids or cochlear implants to assist with communication. Others rely on sign language or other non-verbal methods of communication.
Examples: Deafness, partial hearing loss, auditory processing disorder
How Many Are Affected? About 11.5 million people in the U.S. have some form of hearing loss, including 1 in 1,000 newborns born with significant hearing impairments.
4. Vision Disabilities
Not all vision impairments mean total blindness; some individuals have low vision that affects their ability to see clearly, even with corrective lenses.
Examples: Blindness, low vision, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration
How Many Are Affected? More than 7 million Americans have a vision-related disability.
5. Independent Living & Self-Care Disabilities
Some individuals require assistance with daily tasks such as dressing, eating, or managing personal care. These disabilities can be caused by various medical conditions or accidents.
Examples: Severe arthritis, stroke effects, quadriplegia, progressive illnesses like ALS
How Many Are Affected? About 6.8% of U.S. adults have an independent living disability.
6. Mental Health & Psychiatric Disabilities
Mental health disabilities affect a person’s emotional and psychological well-being. These conditions can impact daily life, relationships, and work but can often be managed with therapy, medication, and support.
Examples: Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia
How Many Are Affected? More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year, and many children also struggle with mental health challenges.
Why Teaching Inclusion Early Matters
Many of these disabilities are not immediately visible, meaning that children may not recognize when a peer has a disability. By teaching children that disabilities come in many forms, we foster a culture of empathy and inclusion.
When children understand that disabilities exist beyond what they can see, they become more likely to:
✅ Include all peers in games, conversations, and activities
✅ Be patient and supportive of classmates with different learning styles
✅ Challenge stereotypes and stand up for friends with disabilities
✅ Understand that diversity makes communities stronger
Living Joyfully Through Inclusion
At Live Joyfully Education, we teach that when we create inclusive environments, everyone benefits—children with disabilities feel valued and included, while children without disabilities learn to be more compassionate and accepting.
The core meaning of "Live Joyfully" is that we can all contribute to a more joyful world by helping individuals with disabilities live joyfully through inclusion, and in doing so, we also live more joyfully.
Ways Educators Can Promote Inclusion:
Teach students that disabilities are diverse and can be both visible and invisible
Use inclusive books and media that feature characters with disabilities like Joyfully Josie.
In the Live Joyfully Education Online Course on Fundamentals of Disability Inclusion, there is a comprehensive list of recommended books that teachers can add to their classroom library.
Encourage open conversations and answer questions with honesty and sensitivity
In the Live Joyfully Education in-person Professional Development workshops, educators guide teachers through handling difficult conversations.
Create classroom activities that are accessible to all students
Final Thoughts on Disability Awareness
Teaching children about disabilities at a young age shapes the future of our communities and beyond. Disability awareness is not just about recognizing differences—it’s about creating a world where everyone belongs. By fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusion, we ensure that every child—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to thrive. And that is how we truly live joyfully.
Learn more at www.livejoyfullyeducation.com
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau: Disability Statistics (2022)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Disability and Health Data
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Special Education Enrollment Data
Social Security Administration (SSA): Disability Benefits and Conditions List
American Community Survey (ACS): Disability Reports
World Health Organization (WHO): International Classification of Disabilities
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