ignore: ":hidden" does not work for controls with display:none

ignore: ":hidden" does not work for controls with display:none

Hi I am using jquery validation to validate my aspx page. deliveryToDiv is
hidden by setting
document.getElementById("deliveryToDiv").style.display = "none";
This div has other controls which will be validated depending on this
div's visibility. But setting ignore:"hidden" does not appear to work on
this div. The error message is thrown even if this div not visible. How
can I detect if this div is visible and perform validation?
What is the workaround? please advise.Thank you in advance