some things for ableds to consider, as written by an autistic mentally ill disabled mobility aid user
Does this place have ramps? Does it have doors wide enough for a wheelchair? Would we have to walk up stairs at any point? Are there elevators? How easy is it to use the elevators? Are they freely accesible, or do you have to get an employee help you?
Is it easy to move around with a mobility aid? Is the ground uneven? Are the spaces you are in small without enough room to properly move with a wheelchair/walker/etc? Are there any steep hills?
Is there extensive walking required? Are there places to stop and rest? Would water and food be readily accessible? Are there bathrooms available? Are those bathrooms accesible for mobility aids? How would stopping and resting affect the experience?
Are there loud noises? Flashing lights? Will it be crowded? Are there places to escape the sensory experience? Is it easy to get out of the sensory experience? What sensory experiences is your disabled loved one okay with, and what hurts them?
Will the people running the event/the staff be helpful? Will they be ready to help make the experience more accessible? Are they going to accuse your disabled loved one of faking it, or tell them they cant bring their service dog/mobility aid with them? Are you prepared to defend them?
Are you prepared to have to go home early? Are you prepared to possibly miss parts of the experience? Are you ready to have alternative plans (like hanging out at home)? Are you prepared for having to cancel?
Consider the days leading up to the event. Maybe you can go do a lot of activities in the days/weeks leading up to something and still be able to go- but could your disabled loved one? Is the scheduling leaving room for them to destress/regain energy after doing something or are they going to have to choose between events? Are you ready to reschedule if they need time to destress/regain energy?
How much time are you spending? How many things are you going to do? How much energy to all those things require? How many steps? Are there breaks in between events?
Are you prepared for an emergency? What kind of emergency could they experience? Are you educated on how to help them if they pass out/have a seizure/have a panic attack/have an allergic reaction? Do you know what to do, who to call, what they need?
Are you going to try and push your friend to stay because you dont wanna leave? Are you going to get angry at them for "ruining the experience" by showing symptoms or needing to take a break? Are you actually ready to leave if they need to, or are you just relying on them being 100% healthy and okay? Do you actually care if they have a fun, accessible experience, even at the expense of your ideal experience?
Its important to communicate with the disabled people in your life about what is accessible to them. Some people may have no sensory issues with bright lights or crowds, or maybe they enjoy them in certain situations, and some might absolutely hate them. Sometimes they might be really excited for something, but end up having a flare up and not being able to go with you. Some of us might need to bring a lot of stuff with us- if I'm going out somewhere, especially if it's hot, I really need to make sure I have enough food (esp salt) and water, or I could pass out. Someone might need an EpiPen or medication with them. There can be a lot of planning that goes in to having fun while disabled.
Remember, disabled people have to think about these things every day. Will it be accessible? Will people refuse to help me? Will I pass out, have a seizure, have a panic attack in public? Does this food have anything in it that could set off my allergies/a flare up? We have so much to consider in just going shopping. It makes things so. much. easier when our abled friends and family takes these things into account!
Disabled people feel free to add anything else you want abled people to take into consideration. Abled people just fucking listen to us and ACTUALLY apply these things to your life.
& if you liked this post, consider reblogging my post about helping Indigenous Assyrians in Iraq during COVID-19.
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