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Welcome to:Medway Non-Visible Disability Initiative website
Medway Non-Visible Disability Initiative (NVDi)
This initiative was launched in Rochester Cathedral on 3 September 2021 to raise awareness of non-visible disabilities and introduce measures to tackle this issue.
Non-visible disabilities are associated with a range of conditions, including: neurological, mental health, cognitive impairment, blindness and deafness – that have in common that symptoms are not immediately obvious. People with non-visible disabilities can have difficulties not accessing what they need which impacts their everyday life. They can also experience humiliation and abuse. An excellent excellent overview of non-visible disabilities is provided by Homecare.co.uk..
Objective & Aims
Objective: Wider awareness and acceptance of Non-Visible Disabilities (NVD) in the community/society, making NVD acceptable and inclusiveness as a norm.
AIMS: To tackle the impact of non-visible disabilities by informing local businesses and services how they can adapt and make small changes to help those who may have a non-visible disability. This initiative is starting off as a pilot study centred on Rochester High Street.
What is NVDi Doing to Help
1. TRAINING: With MidKent College, together with Medway Adult Education ,has developed and delivered a NVQ Level 2 qualification course (see launch of Course, left). We are also developing a short 1-hour Community Awareness training course to be delivered both face-to-face and online and an advanced online option aimed at managers and health care professionals etc.
2. Digital Online Promotion: to access Disability/ Non-Visible Disability Friendly businesses and services.; working with the University of Greenwich, Engineering & Science faculty and Engaging Kent 360.
3. RAISING AWARENESS of NVDs: Holding awareness events and publicising NVD activities, including and this website and social media. On 22 July 2022 NVDi will be hosting a Garden Party - NVDi in Action - in Eastgate Gardens.
4. PROMOTING EXISTING NVD WORK: being carried out by other charities and support groups, such as Medway Disability Network, Headway Medway, and Alzheimer’s Society/ Dementia Friends Awareness course.
Medway Business Skills Showcase Event, MidKent College, 10 April 2024
NVDi had an information stall at this event where we promoted our online Non-Visible Disability Awareness courses. Please click the button below to see a short KMTV report by Sofia Akin.
Breaking News
1. NVDi Short Awareness Courses: In-person and online short courses aimed at customer-facing staff are in preparation. An advanced version of the online course, aimed at manager, healthcare professional etc, is also in preparation.
2. NVDi on KMTV: Chair of the Medway NVDi, Cllr. David Brake, was interviewed by KMTV on Thursday 17 November. To see the interview please click on this LINK .. Cllr Brake explains what Medway NVDi is doing to help those living with non-visible disabilities.
3. NVDi Graduate Ceremony, 14 November, Rochester Bridge Trust Chapel, Rochester Esplanade, 7pm. The first tranche of 11 students to achieve the MidKent College Level 2 Non-Visible Disability Awareness qualification were presented with their certificates by the Worshipful Mayor of Medway Cllr. Jan Aldous. Please click HERE to see a report and HERE to see a group photograph.
4. NVDi in Action, Eastgate House and Gardens, 22 July 1pm to 3pm. A report on this awareness event to showcase the work of NVDi is available on this Tab.
5. UK Parliament announces new POST Note: Invisible Disabilities, starting September 2022. A POSTnote in this area will provide an overview of the main types of invisible disabilities and the different mental, physical, and social challenges people with invisible disabilities experience. It will review employment rights and workplace adjustments as well as evidence on interventions and schemes aimed at reducing discrimination and increasing support for people with invisible disabilities. It will also consider how changes in the workplace, such as increased remote and hybrid working, could present opportunities to increase workplace accessibility in the longer-term.