If someone is using a wheelchair or a white cane, it is clear to outsiders that they are living with some kind of disability or illness. However, only around 20 percent of people with disabilities show obvious signs. In the vast majority of cases, the symptoms and/or limitations associated with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses are not apparent at first glance. And there are many different types: deafness, diseases of the internal organs, depression and autistic spectrum disorders count as invisible disabilities, as do anxiety disorders, multiple sclerosis, dementia and migraine – to name just a few examples.
Around 80 percent of people with a disability have what is known as an “invisible disability”. What exactly are invisible disabilities and how does SBB support affected passengers? An overview.
Crowds, unfamiliar environments and sensory overload: travelling is stressful for many people. It is particularly challenging for people on the autism spectrum or passengers with psychological or neurological illnesses such as anxiety disorders or migraine. This is compounded by the fact that invisible disabilities receive less attention in society, which means that people with invisible disabilities are more likely to encounter questions and a lack of understanding than people whose disabilities are more obvious. This is also an issue when travelling: If someone with an obvious mobility problem or visual impairment sits in a seat intended for people with disabilities, this rarely causes any issues with fellow travellers. Many passengers are also willing to give up their seat. People with hidden disabilities, on the other hand, are more likely to have to justify themselves.
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- Autismus Schweiz (autism organisation)
- elpos Schweiz (ADHD organisation)
- “EnableMe Schweiz” community/”MyHandicap” foundation
- Swiss Federation of the Deaf SGB-FFS
- Vereinigung Cerebral Schweiz (cerebral palsy association)
- FoRom écoute (foundation for the hearing impaired)
- ProRaris (Swiss alliance for rare diseases)
- Pro Audito Schweiz (association for people with hearing loss)
- Alzheimer Schweiz organisation
- Stiftung Plattform Mäander (dementia foundation)
- Angelman Verein Schweiz (Angelman syndrome patient organisation)
- SBH Schweiz (spina bifida and hydrocephalus association)
- Procap (disability association)
- hiki (childhood brain injury association)
- Sonos (Swiss association for the hearing impaired)
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