Is your space accessible to fat friends and loved ones?
*This checklist was originally posted on Instagram @sparklejams. Scroll to the bottom to view all ten downloadable slides.
It’s not just public spaces like airplanes, parks, and restaurants which are often designed to be hostile to fat people — very often, visiting the home of a normative-bodied friend can feel like a very physically unfriendly, uncomfortable experience. When you host fat people – are you considering whether they will feel comfortable and safe in your space?
You will likely not be able to accommodate all of the items on this checklist at once — that is okay. Go through the checklist: assess your current space. As you have the capacity, the privilege, and the resources — do what you can to make your space more fat and disability friendly. You might see your fat friends more often :) Don’t have any fat friends? Why tf not?? (Maybe it’s because there’s no where to sit).
Fat and disability communities often intersect, hence the inclusion of suggestions for home-owners wishing to invest in a more permanent accessibility standard.
I invite all my fat and disabled comrades to add demands in the comments.
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Normalize providing accessibility details to every new guest to your home (literally put it on printed and digital invitations!), such as:
• how many stairs to the front door, and to the main social area (backyard deck stairs, etc.)
• is there an accessible bathroom on the main floor
• if there is extreme heat, what kind of temperature control do you have (AC, fans, etc)
• if your gathering is in an outdoor space, will any of your outdoor furniture accommodate a fat person — or should they expect to bring their own foldable chair?
Accessibility checklist: Seating
• Kitchen/dining room chairs do not have arm rests
• Deep, sturdy couches and lounge chairs
• At least some living room seating options which are not low or close to the ground (you can easily raise your current furniture with lifts)
• Chairs with the highest weight capacity available — there are many stylish options which hold up to 600 pounds.
• Bar stools are not the only seating option ( I cannot emphasize this enough………………)
Seating Minimum:
Consider your fat guest. There should always be at least one seating option in each room in which they can sit comfortably and without fear.
Accessibility checklist: Bathrooms
• Wide, high toilet
• Ample space between the toilet and walls/sink/door.
• Walk-in shower with rail, bench, and removable shower head
Bathrooms Minimum:
• Notice to your guests about how accessible your bathroom is
• Adjustment of any items which may crowd the toilet, like trashcans, plungers, or shelving.
Accessibility Checklist: Clearance
• Clear walkways and hallways
• Allow for at least 32” of space between furniture pieces for ease of space.
For home-owners:
Open floor plans & wide hallways.
Widen doorways or add offset hinges to give an extra few inches of space
Build a ramp to the front door — you will likely need a permit depending on where you live.
Add grab bars in the bathroom around the toilet/ shower.
Invest in a roll-in shower.
Install a toilet riser.
Rethink flooring — hard surfaces are easier to navigate with walkers and wheel chairs than carpets.
Replace round doorknobs with lever handles.
