CENTERING THE MOST MARGINALIZED
Categories of Fat Access
Mobility
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Many fat people have limited mobility, yet the correlation between mobility and weight isn’t clear cut. Mobility is impacted by intersecting disabilities, by class, and by the ways in which necessary healthcare, such as knee replacement, is denied to fat people. While assistive devices like canes, rollators, wheelchairs, and scooters can greatly improve fat people’s access to the world, those devices may be inaccessible due to prohibitive cost, equipment weight limits, or body shape. Sometimes, internalized ableism or shame prevent fat people from accessing assistive devices. Further, mobility may be impacted by terrain, with or without assistive devices. For example, someone may be mobile on flat ground but not on an incline or in environments with sand or gravel.
Walking & Standing
WALKING
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unable to walk independently on a flat even surface |
| 2, 3 | Able to walk ≤ 10 minutes without assistance on a flat even surface |
| 4 | Able to walk ≤ 20 minutes without assistance on a flat even surface |
| 5 | Able to walk > 20 minutes without assistance on a flat even surface |
CATEGORY LABELS
We refer to various categories of fat access based on the experience of how a person is impacted by anti-fat bias. Not all people are impacted by anti-fat bias equally. Fatter individuals experience more anti-fat bias and to represent this increase in experience we’re looking to find new category names to represent the levels of anti-fat bias different individuals receive.
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Inaccessibility |
| Level 2 | Restricted Access |
| Level 3 | Limited Access |
| Level 4 | Basic Access |
| Level 5 | Systemic Access |
Bathing & Toileting
Often the size, location, or configuration of a shower or tub makes it inaccessible. Assistive devices, such as shower chairs, long-handled sponges, bidets, and reach devices may be inaccessible due to prohibitive cost, equipment weight limits, or body shape. Sometimes, internalized ableism or shame prevent fat people from accessing assistive devices.
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1, 2 |
Unable to shower or bathe independently |
| 3, 4 |
Able to shower or bathe with assistance or an assistive device |
| 5 | Able to shower or bathe without assistance or an assistive device |
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Unable to use the toilet independently |
| 2, 3 |
Able to use the toilet with assistance or an assistive device |
| 4, 5 |
Able to use the toilet without assistance or an assistive device |
STANDING
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unable to stand independently |
| 2 | Able to stand <5 minutes without severe pain |
| 3 | Able to stand <10 minutes without severe pain |
| 4 | Able to stand <30 minutes without severe pain |
| 5 | Able to stand >30 minutes without severe pain |
Stairs & Steps
STAIRS
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unable to climb a standard flight of stairs with a handrail |
| 2 | Able to climb a flight of stairs with a handrail with much difficulty |
| 3, 4 | Able to climb a flight of stairs with a handrail with some difficulty |
| 5 | Able to climb a flight of stairs |
STEPS
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unable to walk up 3 steps |
| 2, 3, 4 |
Able to walk up 3 steps with a handrail |
| 5 | Able to walk up 3 steps without difficulty |
Getting Dressed
Dressing presents a variety of challenges to some fat people. Putting on shoes and socks can be especially challenging. While assistive devices for dressing exist, those devices may be inaccessible due to prohibitive cost or body shape. Sometimes, internalized ableism or shame prevent fat people from accessing assistive devices.
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Unable to put on socks and lace up shoes |
| 2, 3 |
Able to put on socks and lace up shoes with assistance or an assistive device |
| 4, 5 | Able to put on socks without assistance or an assistive device |
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Unable to fully dress independently |
| 2, 3 |
Able to fully dress with assistance or an assistive device |
| 4, 5 |
Able to fully dress without assistance or an assistive device |
Around the House
While some fat people have found hacks and assistive devices to help around the house, many fat people are unable to maintain their living spaces. Services like house cleaning and grocery delivery may be helpful, but may not be accessible due to prohibitive cost, internalized ableism, or shame.
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1, 2 |
Unable to perform housecleaning and home maintenance |
| 3, 4 |
Able to perform housecleaning and home maintenance with assistance or an assistive device |
| 5 | Able to perform housecleaning and home maintenance without assistance or an assistive device |
| LEVEL | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Unable to prepare meals |
| 2, 3 |
Able to prepare meals with assistance or an assistive device |
| 4, 5 | Able to prepare meals without assistance or an assistive device |