This piece was written by Mental Health Matters for the Mind Your Policy Newsletter as part of their partnership with ParaPride on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a moment to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still need to go to build a society where everyone can participate and feel accepted. Discussions often focus on physical accessibility but it is just as important to recognise the needs of people living with mental health conditions and other hidden disabilities. These experiences may not be immediately visible, but they shape how people work, access services, and navigate daily life.
Hidden disabilities such as chronic mental health conditions or neurodiversity affect millions across the UK. A recent NHS England study estimates that around 1 in 100 adults are autistic, which is roughly 700,000 people. We also know that many people remain undiagnosed, particularly women. When disabilities are not outwardly visible, people can face scepticism or stigma. This invisibility often creates barriers to getting support or simply being believed.
Policy needs to keep pace with the reality that disability is not always something you can see. Future government strategies must place mental health at their core. Workplace protections and public services should be designed from the outset with hidden disabilities in mind rather than added as an afterthought.
Parliament has made progress on disability rights in recent years but there is still a gap between intent and the lived experience of people trying to access support. Reforms to the Work Capability Assessment and Personal Independence Payment must recognise the realities of fluctuating and non-visible conditions. For many people, assessment processes feel distressing and fail to capture their day-to-day challenges. Policy decisions should follow a trauma informed approach, and we support the Centre for Mental Health call for a cross-government tool to assess the mental health impact of new policies.
Legal protections for disabled workers have existed for many years but their enforcement can be inconsistent. People with hidden disabilities may need flexible working patterns or predictable routines. Yet many still meet resistance or stigma when asking for reasonable adjustments. Regulators and government should explore how to strengthen these protections so that support is consistent and fair.
A strong disability strategy must also embed mental health from early intervention through to long term support. Parliamentary committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups have repeatedly highlighted that mental health services are under-resourced. Investment in community mental health support, crisis services, and accessible therapies would make a significant difference to people whose disabilities are rooted in mental health.
Importantly, disability inclusive policy is not only about what is written in legislation but also how it is designed with disabled people. Many people with hidden disabilities feel overlooked or disbelieved. Involving disabled people meaningfully in shaping policies and public services is essential for ensuring accessibility in both digital and physical spaces. Government should also take an intersectional approach that recognises the barriers faced by people from marginalised communities and works actively to tackle stigma.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is not only a commemoration but a call to action. Change requires policymakers to understand the full spectrum of disability, including experiences that are not immediately visible.
That is why this year we are partnering with ParaPride, a UK based LGBTQ+ and disability charity that works to create inclusive spaces where disabled queer people feel seen, celebrated, and supported. Through community events, education, and visibility campaigns, ParaPride champions those whose identities often sit at the intersection of both disability and LGBTQ plus discrimination. Their mission is to build a society where everyone can take part fully in public life without barriers.
Working together, we will be contacting councillors across the areas we serve to share stories from disabled people in our communities. Our aim is to increase awareness, encourage better understanding of hidden disabilities, and ask councillors to embed the needs of disabled people into every decision they make.
Because disabled people deserve better.
Non-visible disabilities: https://www.mhm.org.uk/listing/category/non-visible-disabilities
Visible disabilities: https://www.mhm.org.uk/listing/category/visible-disabilities
