The DayBeacon is a simple but powerful tool designed to bring more awareness and support for students with invisible disabilities.

This project is deeply personal. It was inspired by my son and built to help students with invisible disabilities communicate more effectively in the classroom. My son and I share a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and he also has Dyspraxia. These conditions bring daily challenges, but the hardest part is that they’re invisible. Despite his determination, he’s faced ongoing struggles learning how to advocate for himself and manage the demands of a school day.

We’ve been lucky to have supportive teachers who helped us get our son diagnosed and took the time to learn about Ehlers-Danlos, Dyspraxia, and what helps him at school. Still, it hasn’t been easy. Everyone—teachers, staff, Josh, and us as parents—has faced challenges figuring out when to step in, how to handle PE and activities, or when a day at home is the best choice.

Josh certainly isn’t alone in facing these challenges. Across the U.S., there are more than 49 million students, and roughly 15% have a disability–with 90% of them being invisible(1) Teachers already have long days and many students with unique needs, and it’s nearly impossible to check in with each one individually or keep track of all the different accommodations required in a busy classroom.

We’ve tried many strategies to help Josh through the school day—pain charts, teacher

check-ins, even presentations to explain his condition. While helpful, none fully met his needs. One of the hardest parts of invisible disabilities is just that—they’re invisible. They impact movement, senses, and thinking in ways others can’t always recognize, often leading to misunderstandings and judgment. This makes self-advocacy incredibly hard for students like Josh.

I wanted a better way—for him, for students like him, and for the educators and caregivers trying to support them. And, not just help, but bring a more proactive approach to meet their unique needs. That’s why we created a system to make their voices visible, especially when speaking up is a challenge.

Introducing The DayBeacon

Learning to advocate for yourself is a long process, and it is even more difficult when living with a chronic or invisible condition. That’s why we call it The DayBeacon.

In coastal navigation, day beacons serve as guides, identifying potential hazards and safe routes. They help travelers find their way. That’s exactly what we want this tool to be for students—an aid to navigating their school day, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and becoming more independent.

The intention is a proactive support system. The beacon pairs a wearable device with a digital interface to help students advocate, regulate emotions, and receive real-time support. With one

button, a student can discreetly ask for help. With another, they can choose a calming strategy to reset. The system provides direct access to teachers with greater privacy, while also storing data to help guardians, educators, and students collaborate and proactively address individual needs.

This is more than a tool. It’s a platform to help students to be more engaged in their educational environment by helping them navigate their days, communicate their specific needs and helping them learn to advocate for themselves.

We invite you to use it, share it, and help others see what is too often hidden.

(1)  NCES.gov