It’s important that this is — and stays — a safe space. We also acknowledge this may be a space of learning and new ways of thinking for some people. Curiosity and questions are welcome, but intentional harm (fatphobia/sizeism, ableism, discrimination, bigotry, or hatred of any kind) will not be tolerated on any of our platforms.

We aren’t perfect, and we’re committed to continuous learning and improving. We welcome any feedback on our processes, language, etc. You can find several ways to get in touch with us on our Contact page.

When possible, we will always try to give accurate measurements of seating, doors, heights of amenities, etc. available at the locations we’re adding to the database. These measurements will most often be provided in inches and serve to provide an alternative to classifying a space as overall “accessible.” Our intention behind providing simply factual data on the spaces we visit/receive information on is that each person can decide for themselves based on this data whether the space will be accessible to their specific needs.

In general, what makes a space accessible to one person may not apply to the next person. In striving to provide information that applies to all bodies, we don’t feel we are currently equipped to classify a space as all-around ‘accessible’ to all wheelchairs, mobility aids, and bodies.

Additionally, the current ‘accessibility’ standards set by the City of Edmonton and Government of Alberta do not reflect on many of the locations we have visited. For example, amenities placed too high, tall order counters, immobile tables and chairs, manual entrances/doors, overall cramped navigation areas, etc.

Even with the work that the City of Edmonton has undergone since its 2010 and 2017 accessibility campaigns, these standards themselves are still out-of-date and do not fully consider the many discrepancies in mobility aids and variation in overall accessibility needs of disabled people.

References:

• Barrier Free Design Guide, Fifth Edition – Safety Codes Council (2017)
• National Building Code – Alberta Edition, 3.8. Accessibility Guide (2019)
• Accessibility for People with Disabilities – City of Edmonton Policy (2019)
• City of Edmonton Access Design Guide (2021)

There exists quite a bit of discourse around the preference between the phrasing of this descriptor (i.e. “person first” vs. “identity first” language), the answer to which often comes down to individual preference, and sometimes writing format. Some disabled individuals and disability advocates prefer “disabled person” to put emphasis on the social and environmental barriers that create disability, rather than focusing on the individual’s characteristics; others prefer “person with a disability” to emphasize that the disability is not the primary, defining characteristic of an individual, but one of several aspects of their whole person.

Ultimately, the choice of language is more a preference than a matter of correct or incorrect. We most commonly use “identity first” language across our platforms (i.e. “disabled person”), but you may notice that we use them interchangeably at times.

We use the term underrepresented bodies to mean the community of people who live in bodies that are often not represented or considered — in this case, in physical (private and public) spaces. This underrepresentation can often lead to both physical and emotional/psychological harm and discomfort to those affected. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, disabled and fat people, two words that you may also see on our platform.

Coming soon – thanks for your patience!

Coming soon – thanks for your patience!