This post is by Katie – read her bio here
In the New York City subways the MTA made a recent update on to their signage. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the poster that used to simply read “Please yield these seats to the elderly and persons with disabilities” now reads “Please offer a seat . . . Please be aware, not all disabilities are visible.” The first time I saw that addition I looked at it with appreciation. I know not all PWDs consider themselves disabled, and there is a spectrum of difficulties we face from our condition, however for many purposes – including the American Disabilities Act – diabetes is a disability.
Even though, thanks to Andrea’s demonstration, I can now test my blood sugar while standing up on a subway holding onto a pole, there are times when my blood sugar is low and I’m shaky or my knee pain flares up and I really do need a seat on the subway. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard, “But you don’t look sick!” or “You don’t look like a diabetic!”
So has this new sign helped us out? How would anyone know to yield their seat to me if I needed it? As the sign notes, I would have to alert a stranger to my invisible disability. I’ve never had that courage to do this on a subway. And when I’m having an uneventful diabetes day, I’m glad I can chose to appear completely able-bodied when I want to. Now I see this sign on the subway and I ponder the doubled-edged sword of having an invisible disability. And if I’m feeling fine, I stand up when the subway is packed; I never know when there might be a fellow slightly bashful and ambivalent invisibly disabled person in the same car.
OH! We need those in SF. I can't tell you how many times I have been low and trying to treat it with juice, food, whatever, and just feeling like I was going to fall down on the over-crowded bus, just wishing someone would get up and give me their seat. Of course now one offered me their seat b/c it wasn't obvious. I hope those work out in NY. Keep us posted! =)
Very interesting! I haven't seen these new signs in the subway… Maybe we should conduct our own social experiment. I bet we'd get some eye-openning findings!
Katie, because of some of my complications I rarely take public transportation. Still I remember someone alerting me to the sign change. I wondered if I told someone I was diabetic and didn’t feel well, would they give up their seat? Would they care? Would I have to defend why diabetics have rights like other disabilities? It was nice they changed it, but does anyone without a disability even realized the wording is different?
Very smart, subtle, interesting post. I would hope people would give you a seat, if you asked.
Thanks for making my ignorant self aware of this. Disability isn't something I have had to think about (thank goodness) and when I am riding BART, I do seek these seats simply due to the fact that it is convenient for my bicycle. I'll have to consider 'invisible' disability next time I am riding the trains or buses.