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Campaign launches to boost awareness of hidden disability

14/04/2008

A campaign has been launched today to raise awareness of the 'hidden disability' aphasia.

The disability affects communication and occurs when the communication centres of the brain are damaged.

It is usually caused by stroke, but can also be caused by brain haemorrhage, head injury or illness such as meningitis or tumours.

About 250,000 people - the size of the population of Nottingham - are estimated to be living with aphasia in the UK and about 130 people a day develop the condition.

But just ten per cent of people have heard of aphasia, according to a survey released today.

The poll also revealed widespread ignorance and public misconception about what counts as a disability.

Physical indicators such as 'using a wheelchair' and 'using a walking stick' are widely recognised but 72 per cent of people did not mention those affecting communication, such as aphasia, as something that would suggest a disability.

Aphasia Alliance spokesperson Carole Pound said: "This survey shows that people fail to consider disabilities that are not visibly identifiable and indicates a general lack of awareness about communication disability.

"In the last few years we have seen enormous advances made to help people with physical impairments, such as ramp access and lifts in buildings.

"However, communication access and communication support has not been high on the agenda and this needs to change."