WHEREAS, October 16 through 22 is observed as National Invisible Disabilities Week which seeks to bring awareness, support, and education to persons living with invisible disabilities; and

WHEREAS, any physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, but can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities is considered an invisible disability; and

WHEREAS, per 2020 data, over 42 million Americans have a severe disability, and 96% of them are unseen, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, affective disorders, diabetes, cancer, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, people with invisible disabilities are often accused of faking or exaggerating their conditions because there are no obvious signs of disability, which adversely affects accommodations, medical resources, and overall support for this community; and

WHEREAS, we are thankful for the guidance of the Salt Lake City Accessibility and Disability Commission, whose membership includes people with disabilities and representatives from disability organizations, advocacy groups, and public health organizations, for their support and education on invisible disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Salt Lake City remains committed to equitable recruitment and hiring practices that are inclusive of individuals with disabilities and in alignment with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim October 16-22, 2022, as:

Invisible Disabilities Week in Salt Lake City

To view an electronic copy of the signed proclamation, click here.