If I said the phrase Radical Visibility, it’s likely you may not have heard about it before. In today’s blog, I’m sharing what the phrase means and how we can practice it and be the best versions of ourselves.
What Is Radical Visibility?
I’ll admit I didn’t know what this phrase meant until recently and it was in Dr Devon Price’s 2022 book, Unmasking Autism, that brough it to my attention. As autistic individuals, we’re more likely to mask and hide our autistic traits. Radical Visibility means we don’t hide what makes us awesome. It means we celebrate what makes us who we are for everyone to see.
Tip 1: Brighten Up
For anyone with any kind of disability, the way society works at the moment is to try and encourage those that are different to hide their disability. We’re expected to blend in. To not flaunt our disability in front of people. And how can we show why we are? Being visible by breaking the expectations on us. Want to wear colourful, loud clothing? Go for it. Have a medical aid like a stick or a wheelchair to help you go out and about? Spruce it up with some colour. There are companies out there that sell walking sticks with amazing colours instead of the drab grey or black ones.
Not only does it allow you to have visibility of your needs, you also have an opportunity to show your personality like you would normally through clothes or your medical aids. It takes away the stigma a little and allows it to become normal.
Tip 2: Include Interests
What you may or may not know about me is that I love Doctor Who. Like a lot. There are some other shows and books I adore too. If being incredibly bright and loud with your visibility, why not try incorporating your interests instead. It doesn’t have to be as obvious as a shirt with the show or band on if you’re not ready for that. You can be as subtle as using keyrings or go for badges and pins with reference to the shows or bands you like.
You might be into certain crafts that you wear overalls or dungarees for, so could incorporate that into your outfits. Go for what you feel comfortable wearing. There’s no point going for what makes you feel uncomfortable just to show your personality if you can’t stand being in it for long periods.
Tip 3: Jazz It Up With Jewellery
If your choice of outfits being loud, bright or being emblazoned with your interests is taking visibility too far, you could always try fidget jewellery. There are many different types for different needs. It might be you need something to keep your fingers busy. Perhaps you need something to chew on to keep you focused on what’s going on around you.
Finding what suits your needs and you enjoy wearing is crucial. There’s no point wearing something that irritates you or your skin. Being able to be yourself means you need to do what makes you happy.
When practicing Radical Visibility, it can be hard initially when we’re so often hiding what makes us who we are. Society encourages us to be blending in with everyone else. The priority is to feel comfortable in your skin. If you want to be loud, colourful, show off your interests or find something to keep your focus by distracting with a fidget, the choice is yours. Who you are is beautiful and you should never hide that.