Hidden Struggles: The Unseen Disability Crisis

Invisible disabilities are a big problem in Pakistan. These are conditions that aren't obvious but greatly affect how people live their lives. Think of things like partial hearing loss or learning differences. Zainab Wadood, a Deaf woman working in healthcare, highlights how these disabilities are often overlooked. She points out that the way disability is defined and measured in systems is a major issue. This isn't just a problem in Pakistan. Even in places like the United States, where disability rights are more advanced, invisible disabilities often go unnoticed, especially for women and girls. Conditions like ADHD or learning differences are frequently diagnosed late, after years of struggle. When disabilities aren't recognized, it leads to mental health issues, missed opportunities, and long-term health problems. For many women, the effects of unrecognized disabilities show up slowly. They might face difficulties in school, healthcare, or work, but these struggles aren't recorded as disability-related. Wadood knows this firsthand. She was born Deaf but didn't get proper support until she was 24. She had to figure out how to navigate the world without the help she needed. In schools, girls with undiagnosed disabilities often fall behind. They might repeat grades or drop out altogether. Pakistan doesn't have universal newborn hearing screening, so many impairments go unnoticed until learning delays become obvious. Girls with partial hearing loss might sit quietly in class, fall behind, and be seen as disengaged rather than unsupported.Healthcare settings also present challenges. Many hospitals lack sign-language interpreters or proper communication methods. Deaf women often rely on family members to interpret, which can limit privacy and informed consent. When patients struggle to follow medical advice, they might be labeled as non-compliant rather than unsupported. This can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and avoidable health issues. In Pakistan, recognizing a disability can have social implications, especially for women. Families might worry that a disability label will affect marriage prospects or social standing. As a result, many women delay disclosure or manage their condition privately. Policy design also plays a role. Formal disability certification is often only granted for severe impairments, leaving many women without access to services or data collection. Despite these challenges, Pakistan has made progress. Government spending on disability has increased significantly. Organizations like NOWPDP have shown effective inclusion models. However, these investments aren't consistently tracked by gender or invisible-disability indicators. Without this data, it's hard to assess how women with invisible disabilities are benefiting from expanded funding. Wadood's work focuses on addressing these information gaps. She's developing women-centered data tools to document where invisible disabilities go unrecognized. Looking ahead, progress means earlier identification, better communication in healthcare, and data systems that capture gender and invisible-disability outcomes. As measurement improves, invisible disabilities may become more visible within systems, allowing for better policy, funding, and services.