BE BLUEBIRD AWARE

Making non-visible physical disabilities understood.

Bluebird Aware is a UK community interest company working to improve understanding and support for people living with non-visible and fluctuating physical disabilities.

We listen to lived experience, develop practical ways for people to communicate their individual needs and work with others to create more understanding and accessible communities.

Share your experience Explore awareness products

UK-based CIC•Lived experience at the centre•Products in development

Being unseen should never mean being unsupported.

A person may need step-free access, assistance to avoid walking long distances, somewhere to sit or support to avoid standing in a queue. The level of assistance they need can change from day to day as pain, fatigue and mobility fluctuate.

Managing steps or walking a particular distance on one occasion does not mean they can do so safely or without considerable pain on another. When these changes are misunderstood, people can face disbelief or have their support needs questioned.

Bluebird Aware is developing practical ways for people to communicate the support they need at that time, without repeatedly having to explain their diagnosis or justify their needs.

Being understood matters

Recent official evidence highlights how gaps in understanding and unreliable assistance can prevent disabled people from travelling with confidence.

Understanding individual needs

Parliament’s Transport Committee warned that general disability-awareness training may be insufficient to ensure travellers with less well-understood disabilities receive the support they need. Its findings specifically discuss hidden disabilities.

Source: House of Commons Transport Committee, Access denied, 20 March 2025, paragraph 27.

Read the Committee’s findings

Non-visible disabilities and assistance

13%

Of surveyed passengers with non-visible disabilities reported receiving none of their booked rail assistance in 2024/25. A further 11% received only some.

Source: Office of Rail and Road, Experiences of Passenger Assist 2024–2025, Figure 8.2.

Read the Passenger Assist reportPDF

Journeys people decide not to make

More than a third

Of respondents to the Transport Committee’s survey said they decided against a particular journey more than once a week because it would be too complicated, unsafe or likely to go wrong.

Source: House of Commons Transport Committee, Access denied, 20 March 2025, paragraph 36.

Read the findings on barriers to travel

These findings concern transport accessibility. The Passenger Assist figures cover surveyed users with non-visible disabilities broadly, not specifically non-visible physical conditions. The parliamentary survey reflects respondents’ experiences and is not a representative estimate for all disabled people. Publication dates and reporting periods are shown with each source.

Understanding starts with listening to what someone needs, recognising that those needs can fluctuate, and responding without assumptions.

Discover our approach

From lived experience to practical change

Bluebird Aware is at an early but active stage. Our approach connects listening, thoughtful development and wider reach.

Happening now

1Listen

Our lived-experience survey is gathering insight into what helps, what creates barriers and where understanding is still missing.

Take the survey

Initial pilot underway

2Develop

We are providing free prototype lanyards through a small initial pilot. Feedback from people living with non-visible physical disabilities will help us improve the lanyards and guide the development of personalised cards. We will use what we learn to prepare for wider availability through free, subsidised and full-cost options.

Explore what we are developing

Local distribution underway

3Reach

We are distributing free prototype lanyards locally through our initial pilot. Our aim is to extend availability across the UK through free, subsidised and full-cost options, supported by pay-it-forward contributions.

Explore partnership opportunities

How would you like to help?

There is more than one way to contribute. Choose the option that feels most relevant to you.

Share your experience

Help strengthen understanding of life with non-visible and fluctuating physical disabilities.

Take the survey

Awareness Tools

See the disability-awareness products Bluebird Aware is currently developing.

Visit the Shop

Volunteer with us

Contribute professional skills, practical experience, lived experience, time or enthusiasm.

Explore volunteering

Support our work

Donate, spread the word or help Bluebird Aware connect with more people.

See ways to support us

Help your organisation
Be Bluebird Aware.

Work with us to improve understanding, support accessible experiences and help more people communicate their individual needs.

We welcome conversations with funders, sponsors, disability organisations, employers, venues, event organisers, community groups and potential distribution partners.

Fund or sponsor distribution

Help fund the production and distribution of free or subsidised products for people for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier.

Become a distribution partner

Help make Bluebird Aware products available through appropriate organisations, communities, events and venues.

Support development

Contribute relevant expertise, production capability, materials, testing opportunities or practical support.

Discuss a partnership Learn about Bluebird Aware

Bluebird Aware CICUK Community Interest CompanyCompany number 17295730Founded from lived experience

View Companies House record

Understanding begins with each of us. Be Bluebird Aware.

Share your experience, learn more, volunteer, support our work or help an organisation respond more thoughtfully to non-visible physical disabilities.