Education

Sharing information on social media and in print to help educate the community on disability culture and substance use issues within the disability community.

Last reviewed 24 Oct 2026

What this strategy is

Our mass media campaign pilot testing was completed in 2025, setting the foundation for our 2026 social norms and social marketing campaigns. We spread our coalition’s message throughout the community with two full-page newspaper ads, four full bus ads, and monthly newsletter articles, blog posts, and social media content focused on Disability Visibility and Spoon Theory which help to shift perceptions of disability and reduce stigma.

Disability Visibility

Invisible disability

Disabilities affect how people see, hear, move, and think. Although some disabilities are easy to see, others, like ADHD and anxiety, are harder to see.

Spoon Theory

Spoon Theory is a popular idea that uses spoons to represent the amount of physical and mental energy a person has for daily activities. Each spoon represents a set amount of energy and multiple spoons represent a person’s amount of energy for the whole day. The number of spoons a person has for each day depends on how they are feeling. When people do not “have enough spoons” to do something, it means they do not have enough energy.

Spoon Theory highlights how individuals with disabilities often start each day with fewer spoons, or energy, than those without disabilities. This constant challenge of managing limited energy can put individuals with disabilities at a higher risk for substance use. The strain of navigating daily activities with fewer spoons can lead some to seek relief through substances, as a way to cope with pain, fatigue, or emotional stress. However, while substances might provide temporary relief, they can further deplete spoons over time, creating a harmful cycle that is difficult to break. Individuals with disabilities face unique challenges that can make them more vulnerable to substance use, emphasizing the need for targeted support and understanding. By recognizing the increased risks and the complex relationship between disability, energy levels, and substance use, we can better support those who are managing these intertwined challenges.

Read the full post: The Spoon Theory Reality.

From the blog

We write about disability, prevention and substance use every month. Read the CANDLE blog.

Every campaign carousel we have published is below, free for any coalition member or partner to repost.

Open the campaign you want. Copy the post text, save each image in the order they are numbered, and paste the alt text for each slide into the field your platform gives you for it.

The alt text is what makes a post readable to someone using a screen reader. It is already written for every image here, so it is never the step you have to skip because you were in a hurry.

Invisible Disability

Disabilities affect how we see, hear, move and think. Some, like ADHD are harder to see.

Invisible Disability: carousel post - bed rot

Invisible Disability · week 2

Alt text · slide 1

A black person lying in bed looking at their phone in a messy bedroom

A black person is lying on their bed under the covers and looking at their cellphone. There are some clothes and a bit of garbage on the bedroom floor, on top of the dresser and on the desk. There is a window with half-open curtains. Text on the image reads “Disabilities affect how we see, hear, move and think. Some, like ADHD are harder to see.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is still on their phone, the room even messier, with someone standing behind them

The person is lying on their bed under the covers and looking at their cellphone. Their bedroom is very messy with clothes and garbage all over the floor, dresser, desk, and windowsill. A person stands behind them holding a piece of paper and a screwdriver. Text on the image reads “Even with the same disability, experiences can be very different. What’s easy for one person might be difficult for another.”
Alt text · slide 3

The person is sitting up on their bed and facing the other person

The person is now sitting on their bed facing the person in their room. The room is still very messy. Text on the image reads “Disabilities impact daily life, often leaving less energy for tasks.”
Alt text · slide 4

The person is sitting at their desk working on the computer and the room is clean

The person is sitting at their desk working on the computer. Their bedroom is very tidy and clean now. The dresser has been replaced by an open storage clothing rack. Text on the image reads “Accommodations and supports can help prevent substance use for people with disabilities.” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Invisible Disability: carousel post - runaway fridge

Invisible Disability · week 3

Alt text · slide 1

A young white person is putting groceries into their refrigerator

A young white person is standing in front of their open refrigerator and putting away the groceries they have in bags. There’s a sink to the left and a microwave to the right. Text on the image reads “Disabilities affect how we see, hear, move and think. Some, like ADHD are harder to see.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is squatted down looking in their refrigerator that is full of food

The person is now squatting in front of their open refrigerator and looking at the food inside of it. Text on the image reads “Have you ever heard of the Spoons Theory? Each spoon represents a unit of energy.”
Alt text · slide 3

Another person is helping them put old food in the garbage

The person is still squatting in front of their open refrigerator but has on different clothes. There’s also lots of take-out containers in the refrigerator now. A black person is standing next to them holding a garage bag. Text on the image reads “People with disabilities might start their day with fewer spoons some days, even small tasks can use up a lot of energy.”
Alt text · slide 4

The person is looking into their reorganized and clean refrigerator

The person is standing in front of their open refrigerator that is clean again. Text on the image reads “Accommodations and supports can help prevent substance use for people with disabilities.” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Invisible Disability: carousel post - sink paralysis

Invisible Disability · week 4

Alt text · slide 1

A white person is facing a sink with dirty dishes on both sides of it

A white person with long hair is facing a sink with some dishes on the counter next to them. Text on the image reads “Disabilities affect how we see, hear, move and think. Some, like ADHD are harder to see.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is still facing a sink with lots of dirty dishes on both sides of it piling up

The person is still standing by the sink, but many more dirty dishes have piled up around them. Text on the image reads “Disabilities can drain a person’s energy, leaving them vulnerable to stress and unhealthy coping behaviors like substance use.”
Alt text · slide 3

Another person is helping them wash all the dishes

Someone has come to help the person wash the piled-up dishes. They are washing the dishes together and the person looks relieved. Text on the image reads “You can make a difference by being patient, understanding, and offering support when they need it most.”
Alt text · slide 4

The person is smiling and putting new dirty dishes into a countertop dishwasher

The person is smiling and putting new dirty dishes into a countertop dishwasher. Text on the image reads “Accommodations and supports can help prevent substance use for people with disabilities.” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Invisible Disability: carousel post - suffocating boxes

Invisible Disability · week 1

Alt text · slide 1

An elderly white person is reading their mail with boxes around them

An elderly person is using a magnifier to read their mail in front of a closet full of different kinds of boxes. There’s a big grandfather clock to their left and a table with a telephone and lamp. Text on the image reads “Disabilities affect how we see, hear, move and think. Some, like ADHD are harder to see.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is still reading their mail, more boxes have piled up around them on the floor

The person is still reading their mail, but more boxes have piled up around them on the floor. Text on the image reads “Living with a disability can mean managing limited energy each day.”
Alt text · slide 3

Another person is helping them organize and tidy up all the boxes

A younger person has come over and is helping the elderly person organize all the boxes and tidy up the area. Text on the image reads “Offering support when energy runs low can help avoid unhealthy coping behaviors like substance use.”
Alt text · slide 4

The person is dusting, the space is tidy and organized now

The elderly person is dusting the table, and the rest of the area is very tidy and organized now. Text on the image reads “Accommodations and supports can help prevent substance use for people with disabilities.” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons

Spoon Theory is a popular idea that uses spoons to represent the amount of physical and mental energy a person has for daily activities.

Spoons: carousel post - buying salad supplies

Spoons · week 3

Alt text · slide 1

A white person wearing headphones is in the produce area of a grocery store

A white person with headphones on is shopping with another person who is pushing the cart with a watermelon in it. They are in the fruit and vegetable section of the grocery store. There are people around them shopping in the background. Text on the image reads “Alcohol use can impair concentration and exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is putting a bottle of salad dressing in their cart

The people are now in the salad dressing aisle and the person wearing headphones is putting a bottle into the cart. Text on the image reads “Making it difficult to focus and complete tasks.”
Alt text · slide 3

The person is in line at the register buying their groceries

The two people are checking out at the register. A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons: carousel post - junk mail

Spoons · week 7

Alt text · slide 1

An elderly white person using a magnifier to read their mail in the entryway

An elderly white person is using a magnifier to read their mail in the entryway. Their service dog is lying on the floor in front of them. Text on the image reads “Alcohol can affect balance and coordination.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is putting some mail in a garbage can

The person is in their kitchen putting mail in the garbage can. There’s a microwave, sink, and window behind them and a stove top in front of them. Text on the image reads “Increasing the risk of falls and injuries for individuals with mobility difficulties.”
Alt text · slide 3

A logo appears and covers part of the previous scene

A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it appears over part of the same scene and reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons: carousel post - making breakfast

Spoons · week 4

Alt text · slide 1

An elderly black person is making breakfast at the stove

An elderly black person is standing at the stove making breakfast. Kitchen appliances and utensils are around him. Text on the image reads “For those with chronic illnesses, alcohol can interfere with medications and exacerbate health conditions.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is eating breakfast and there is a pill container on the table

The person is now sitting at the table eating their breakfast. There is an open medicine divider next to them. Text on the image reads “Leading to severe health complications.”
Alt text · slide 3

A logo appears and covers part of the previous scene

A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it appears over part of the same scene and reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons: carousel post - school pick up

Spoons · week 6

Alt text · slide 1

A wheelchair user is rolling down the ramp in front of their house to their van

A person using a wheelchair is rolling down a ramp in front of their blue house to their accessible van. Text on the image reads “Alcohol can affect balance and coordination.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is sitting outside their accessible van and greeting a student

The person is outside their van that they parked in an accessible spot and is greeting a student walking towards them. There’s another car and more students in the background. Text on the image reads “Increasing the risk of falls and injuries for individuals with mobility difficulties.”
Alt text · slide 3

A logo appears and covers part of the previous scene

A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it appears over part of the same scene and reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons: carousel post - sign language at doctor

Spoons · week 5

Alt text · slide 1

A young white patient with a cochlear implant is talking to their doctor using sign language

A young white patient with a cochlear implant attached to their ear and head is talking to a black doctor with the help of a sign language interpreter. Text on the image reads “Binge drinking can increase anxiety levels, leading to panic attacks and heightened stress.”
Alt text · slide 2

The same patient is talking to another doctor using sign language

The same patient is now talking to a different doctor with the help of their sign language interpreter in a medical exam room. Text on the image reads “Especially in those already living with anxiety.”
Alt text · slide 3

A logo appears and covers part of the previous scene

A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it appears over part of the same scene and reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Spoons: carousel post - washing laundry

Spoons · week 8

Alt text · slide 1

A white person with facial hair who is using a walker is going into a laundromat

A person with facial hair who is using a walker is going into the Cortland Laundromat. They have a laundry basket on the seat of their walker. Text on the image reads “Alcohol may provide short-term pain relief, but it can worsen pain over time.”
Alt text · slide 2

The person is sitting on their walker and putting laundry into a washing machine

The person is now sitting on their walker and loading a machine with their clothes. There are other people doing their own laundry in the background. Text on the image reads “Leading to increased pain sensitivity and chronic discomfort.”
Alt text · slide 3

A logo appears and covers part of the previous scene

A multicolored slogan with spoons on either side of it appears over part of the same scene and reads “Do you have enough spoons for that?” Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok icons are below the caption along with candle coalition dot org.

Last pulled from the coalition's campaign library on 29 Aug 2026.