Episode 26: Self Care and Silliness - The Accessible Stall

With all that’s going on in the world, how the heck can we even begin to prioritize self care? And for that matter, what does self care really mean? In this episode, we answer those questions while keeping things light and a little silly. We discuss the struggles that come with taking care of the most important thing in your life: you.

So many people think: “But I’m too busy for self care.”

We know. We feel you. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day and neglect basic things you should do to care for yourself. We’re not talking luxuries, though it’s definitely okay to treat yo’self.

 

We mean remembering to eat regularly. Exercising. Taking time out for a shower or bath. Watching a funny TV show or playing a video game. Meeting your needs and unwinding are necessary.

It’s pretty common to worry that if you pause to focus on yourself, you’re giving up valuable time for activism.

Emily admits to struggling with this in this episode. But as Kyle points out, are you really being the best activist you can be if you’re not focusing on self care enough to function at your full capacity?

Remember, it’s okay to disengage.

And it’s also okay if it’s a learning process for you to do so. (Especially if you’re like Emily, who lives for consuming the news.) While it’s definitely important for you to stay updated on what’s going on around you, it’s equally important to take a break in the interest of self care. It’s the best way to avoid overloading yourself or burning out.

Also remember we’re not here to be authorities.

We’re just two people having some real talk and some fun along the way. Seriously though, chill out and take some time for yourself. Your body and your brain will thank you.

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Episode 25: Accessibility vs. Inclusion - The Accessible Stall

Is complete accessibility necessary for inclusion? Can anything be truly inclusive it it’s inaccessible? In this episode, we explore these questions and try to figure out where access and inclusivity intersect. A transcript for this episode can be found here. This transcript is due to our generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you.

What prompted the conversation about accessibility and inclusion?

Recently, the Washington Post published an article about an access “solution” developed for people with mobility disabilities. “Infinity Mirrors,” an exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden was not created in a way that’s accessible for wheelchair users. So, the Smithsonian’s Accessibility Program got to work with the Hirshhorn’s multimedia and technology team to recreate the experience of the exhibit using virtual reality (VR). The result? People unable to access the exhibit can take it in through a VR headset.

Is that really a solution for inaccessibility?

Not really. It’s an awesome use of VR, but it doesn’t solve the real issue. The exhibit itself is still not accessible for wheelchair users to experience in person. And if a wheelchair user goes to the museum with a group and has to hang back and see the exhibit with a VR headset while everyone else goes inside the actual exhibit, that’s pretty exclusionary.

But aren’t there laws requiring public places like museums to be accessible?

Yes. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires access to public places. Museums should be taking this into account when building new structures or installations. And the Smithsonian itself actually has Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. It seems, in the case of “Infinity Mirrors,” they’re forsaking the law and their guidelines in favor of art.

Does this one museum exhibition matter on a larger scale?

It sure does. It’s an example of issues that come up over and over again. First, accessibility is still frequently an afterthought. Second, it’s often conflated with inclusion. People think that efforts to make something accessible also make it inclusive by default. But that’s definitely not the case. Access is only the first step toward inclusion. 

Join us as we dive into why access and inclusion are not interchangeable and talk about the importance of making accessibility meaningful.

Notes from this episode: Robot Visits White House

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Episode 24: A Day Without a Woman - The Accessible Stall

Today is International Women’s Day. Today is also “A Day Without a Woman,” a form of protest by the same people behind the Women’s March on Washington, which took place on January 21^st, 2017. We like the idea of the Women’s Strike in theory. Women’s rights are human rights, after all. But is it a good idea in practice? Join us as we discuss in our first non-disability related episode of The Accessible Stall.

What is A Day Without a Woman? How do I participate?

Per their website,

Anyone, anywhere, can join by making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, in one or all of the following ways:

1. Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
2. Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
3. Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman

That sounds fine. What’s your problem with it?

It does sound fine. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with participating in the strike, we feel that it’s misguided. The goals are unclear, and the people who need to hear the message the most likely won’t. It’s a great idea in theory, but it’s exclusionary to those who can’t afford to take off from work or who can only shop at places like Walmart. To put it simply, it’s a gross display of socioeconomic privilege. And we feel it’s worth discussing, as we both are staunchly for women’s rights, but think there are other, more effective forms of grassroots activism.

But you can just wear red, you don’t need money to participate!

True. But we examine the effectiveness of “color wearing” activism in this episode. If, on the one hand, it’s the only way/most accessible way you can participate? Go for it! Otherwise, it’s just slacktivism at its finest.

We went outside the box a little bit in our conversation during this episode. We hope you like it as much as we liked making it.

Notes from this episode: A Day Without A Woman Letter to Employer.

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