About IDA – the Invisible Disabilities® Association
Who We Are: Believing the Invisible
The Invisible Disabilities® Association (IDA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. IDA is changing the way the world sees disabilities. IDA is about believing. We believe you! The frequently invisible nature of illness and pain may lead to disbelief about that illness or pain by those surrounding the person who lives daily with invisible disabilities. This disbelief can lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and health care providers. It may also lead to accusations of laziness or faking an illness. We are passionate about providing awareness that invisible illness, pain and disabilities are very real!
Our Mission and Core Values
Our mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. This mission along with listening, believing and supporting make up our core values.
- Encouraging: We value encouraging others by providing hope and validation to individuals living with invisible disabilities, empowering them to realize they are not alone in their journey.
- Educating: We value educating the public by raising global awareness and providing vital resources that bridge the gap of understanding regarding invisible disabilities.
- Connecting: We value connecting our community by building a vibrant, global network that unites individuals, families, and organizations to share experiences and foster mutual support for those with invisible disabilities.
- Listening: We value listening as the practice of actively and compassionately hearing the lived experiences of those with invisible disabilities without judgment or skepticism.
- Believing: We value believing as the fundamental commitment to accepting a person’s reality and symptoms at face value, even when their invisible disabilities are not outwardly visible.
- Supporting: We value supporting our members by providing the necessary advocacy and practical tools that empower people living with invisible disabilities to navigate their daily lives more effectively.
Three Decades of Impact
January 1, 2026, marks a monumental milestone for the disability community. It has been exactly 30 years since a spark of empathy and a desperate need for validation evolved into the Invisible Disabilities® Association (IDA). What began as a personal effort to help one family understand a loved one has transformed into a global movement that has changed millions of lives.
Our Founders’ Journey
The story of IDA is rooted in a husband’s devotion and a wife’s courage. In the mid-90s, Sherri Connell was navigating the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis and late-stage Lyme disease. Because she did not “look sick” to the outside observer, she faced constant skepticism. To bridge this gap, Sherri began writing pamphlets for her friends and family members to explain the reality of her daily life. She coined the term “invisible disability” to describe this battle, and then created the concept of “IDA”—The Invisible Disabilities Advocate® in 1996.
Seeing the power of her words, Wayne Connell realized that Sherri’s voice shouldn’t just be for their inner circle; it was a message the entire world needed to hear. Driven by the desire to take Sherri’s words to the world, Wayne incorporated IDA as the Invisible Disabilities Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2004.
A Global Voice from the Very Beginning
The organization was a digital pioneer long before the world was connected by modern social media. IDA launched their first website in 1997—a full year before Google went online—serving as a global lighthouse for those seeking answers in the early days of the web. To further the mission of empathy, Wayne and Sherri co-authored the seminal book, But You LOOK Good!, which has since seen over 35,000 copies in print worldwide, helping families everywhere understand the gap between appearance and reality.
Empowering Through IDEAS
To meet the diverse needs of the community, the organization developed IDEAS—Invisible Disabilities Education, Awareness, and Support. This initiative provides tailored resources and expert insights through specialized programs such as Brain IDEAS, which focuses on cognitive health, and Love IDEAS, which explores navigating relationships while living with illness. From the mental health benefits of Healthy Humor IDEAS to the practical wellness strategies of Healthy Living IDEAS and the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign, these programs ensure that support reaches every facet of an individual’s life, providing a holistic approach to living with an invisible disability.
A Global Media Presence
Recognizing that storytelling is the most powerful tool for change, the association has expanded its reach through dedicated media platforms. IDA.FM (the Invisible Disabilities Network) offers a deep library of podcasts, while IDA.TV (Invisible Disabilities Television) provides high-quality video content that brings the invisible struggle into the spotlight. By utilizing these platforms, IDA ensures that authentic stories, expert advice, and educational content are accessible 24/7. This commitment to media is about more than just broadcasting; it is about controlling the narrative and ensuring the message of the community is never muted or ignored.
Expert Insights – The IDA Speakers Bureau
The Invisible Disabilities® Speakers Bureau and Consulting serves as a vital resource for companies, schools, and organizations worldwide. Our bureau features experts and advocates who provide powerful keynote presentations, educational symposiums, and professional consulting designed to foster understanding and inclusive environments. With over 35 years of combined experience, our speakers, including founder Wayne Connell and Executive Director Jess Stainbrook, offer practical strategies for supporting employees, students, and family members living with invisible disabilities. By providing the tools to bridge the gap of understanding, the Speakers Bureau helps organizations turn empathy into action.
A Growing Family of Voices and Champions
The reach of this message is further amplified by the IDA Ambassadors, a passionate group of advocates who represent the organization across the globe. This vital network began in 2015 and became a voice for advocacy through personal storytelling. Today, by sharing their own lived experiences, these ambassadors put a face and a voice to invisible disabilities, breaking down stigmas and ensuring that no one has to navigate their journey alone. Since the first annual Evening with Invisible Disabilities® in 2008, IDA has had the honor of presenting 159 awards to champions who help amplify the mission. These honors have recognized global influencers like John O’Leary and Bob Woodruff, and visionary business leaders like Dave Liniger and Brian J. Esposito, alongside household names such as Marlo Thomas, Wayne Brady, and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen. These voices ensure that the message of being “Invisible No More” reaches every corner of society.
A Badge of Understanding and Peace of Mind
Perhaps the organization’s most visual legacy is the IDA “i” Logo, which is becoming the internationally recognized symbol for invisible disabilities and the center point of the National Disability ID initiative. The “i” symbol is intentionally inclusive, encompassing all disabilities while also bringing vital visibility to the invisible ones. This symbol has moved from the screen to the real world to provide tangible security for the community. Starting in Alaska in 2017, and expanding to Colorado and Utah, IDA successfully advocated for the symbol to be placed on state-issued Driver’s Licenses and IDs. This revolution continued with the launch of the National Disability ID Card and the recent Invisible Disabilities® Medical ID Card; both cards boldly display the “i” symbol for easy disability recognition, providing peace of mind during emergencies and travel.
Expanding Our Reach and Strengthening Our Community
The last decade has seen a rapid acceleration of the organization’s reach. Invisible Disabilities® Week, launched in 2014, now turns the world blue every October. In 2018, the association added significant strength to its leadership when Jess Stainbrook joined as Executive Director. An 8-time Emmy Award-winning movie producer with 32 nominations, Jess brought a fresh vision and media expertise that allowed IDA to tell its story through high-impact storytelling on a global scale. The Invisible Disabilities® Community has also found new ways to connect physically through the Invisible Disabilities® Walk & Roll events, which debuted in 2023. Beyond building solidarity, the Walk & Roll has become a major fundraiser, fueling the vital programs and advocacy efforts that support the community year-round.
Our Vision: Invisible No More®
Envision with us, a world where people living with illness, pain and disability will be Invisible No More.
As we stand here in 2026, the mission remains as clear as it was thirty years ago. IDA continues to move forward built upon six core pillars: Encouraging, Educating, Connecting, Listening, Believing, and Supporting. By educating the world about the invisible battle, IDA has spent 30 years ensuring that every person is seen, heard, and supported. And they all become Invisible No More!