Author: Sweta Kumari
Being a Mindful Coach: Recognising Invisible Disabilities
As coaches, we often engage in rituals that foster connection and understanding with our clients. One of these practices is being mindful and present, which empowers us to notice shifts and unspoken cues, including observing body language, emotions, and other subtle indicators. Noticing shifts in energy and discomfort has always helped me be fully aware of people’s needs. Additionally, these visual cues and my curious mind have led me to learn more about the situation and an individual’s environment and its impact on them.
It is equally important to expand our awareness beyond our clients and recognise that individuals with invisible disabilities may be around us, requiring our understanding and support.
A Personal Encounter
One day after work, while waiting for my cab, I noticed a man struggling to cross the road. From a distance, he seemed fine, and others around him appeared oblivious to his difficulties. My cab got cancelled due to heavy traffic, which granted me time to approach him. I asked if he needed help, and he gratefully accepted. As we talked, I learned that he was colourblind and struggled to distinguish between the traffic signal colours—red, green, and yellow—making it difficult to cross the street safely. I offered to guide him, and we exchanged numbers in case he needed further assistance.
The following day, I received a call from him. He shared that he had been stuck for over an hour due to a poorly placed traffic light, complicating his ability to interpret the signals. His colour blindness, an invisible disability, posed challenges that most people would overlook.
This experience left a profound impression on me. Colour blindness is often overlooked, yet it affects a significant portion of the population, especially men in India, where about 8% of men and 0.4% of women are estimated to be colourblind.
The Importance of Inclusivity in Coaching
As coaches, particularly when creating content or designing infographics, we must be mindful of our communication methods. The more inclusive we are, the better we can support diverse clients, ensuring that everyone feels understood, and while we create safe and welcoming environments.
Relying solely on colour to convey critical information can unintentionally alienate or confuse individuals with colour vision deficiencies. We may never fully know who our audience will include or exclude, so we must understand their diverse needs. By integrating minor adjustments—such as patterns, textures, clear labels, and colours—we can ensure our messages are accessible to a broader audience. Awareness and inclusivity should be at the core of our one-on-one interactions and content creation.
Due to a lack of knowledge, we often overlook many invisible disabilities. Therefore, I write this article to raise awareness within our coaching community and inspire a cautious curiosity about our surroundings.
Some examples of Invisible Disabilities
Here are a few examples of invisible disabilities we should be aware of:
- Autism
- Low vision
- Deafness
- Speech impairments
- Mental health challenges
- Chronic pain
- Learning disabilities
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Arthritis
My Reflection
As coaches, it is crucial to recognise and be attentive to invisible disabilities. We never know the struggles that someone may be facing—be it colour blindness or another invisible condition. When we engage with clients in coaching or mentoring sessions, we must consider their specific needs. Questions to ponder include:
- What are your preferred methods of interaction?
- Who constitutes my audience?
- How can I foster inclusivity in my content?
- How can I reduce discrimination while creating materials?
If my content is predominantly video-based, am I being mindful? Am I genuinely serving my clients’ needs?
Prioritising inclusivity and awareness ensures that we communicate effectively and supportively with all individuals, regardless of their challenges.
Stay tuned to my upcoming blogs to learn more about enhancing your awareness of invisible disabilities and how to adapt your daily practices for a more inclusive approach. You wouldn’t want to miss my next one featuring my personal experience with situational disability, promising enriching insights for you to create a more accommodating and empathetic practice.
