I was writing a paper for one of my courses where I had to write about the “hidden city” that I come across in Toronto. This “hidden city” had to be reflected on the things we come across every day that does not seem inclusive. The course I am referring to is called Disability Issues, and of course I was going to talk about my experience with my disability with Multiple Sclerosis. The picture below was my example I provided to justify my thoughts behind this label.
How I started my paper and some of the things I wrote…
This was a picture I took to address the “hidden city” that I come across every day in Toronto. This is the label that corresponds to the blue coloured seats in the TTC that is for priority seating for those who are elderly, pregnant or for those who use a mobility device. But, what if my disability is not visible rather, it is invisible to people? What if I am not elderly, pregnant nor use a mobility device, would I have to stand even when my disability does not allow me to? This image of the TTC label for the priority seating does not recognize or help those with invisible disabilities like myself. This is something I wanted to address because it is absolutely frustrating for me just because I chose not to use a mobility device. Thus, because I have an invisible disability, I oftentimes find that it excludes me from society. In summary, this paper will briefly outline how a disability studies perspective showcases the barriers encountered in TTC transit and how this built environment is perceived as the source of disability.
As you analyze the “Priority Seating” label, it shows four pictures of the types of people you should give a seat to. For instance, the pictures shown are of individuals who either have a guide dog, crutches, cane or a pregnant women. The individual with an invisible disability is unaccounted for because no one knows where to place them in society. The exclusion of an invisible disability is something I encounter every time I am on the TTC transit. For instance, there have been a few times when people would ask me why I am sitting on a blue seat because it is for “priority seating”. People just like to assume that because your disability is invisible, you do not require assistance as opposed to those who appear "physically disabled". Oftentimes when I get asked this question, I tell them that I have Multiple Sclerosis and cannot stand but, a part of me always feels so guilty. Why must I feel excluded from society just because my disability is invisible?
- Pree
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