Disabled Resources
Hey, fellow disabled folks, I wanted to share some of the things that help me in my life in case something here might help you, too 💖
Assistive Devices, Tips, + Tricks
Here are some devices, tips, and tricks I’ve found useful or have seen others use that help them
Audiobooks – this can be a great option for folks who want to read but also need to do other things at the same time; check if your library participates in apps like Overdrive and Libby that offer ebooks and audiobooks
Blue Light Blocking Glasses, Sunglasses Style – to help with migraines triggered by blue light and to help with sleep schedules
Blue Light Blocking Glasses, Wraparound Style – to help with migraines triggered by blue light and to help with sleep schedules
Cane – I got my first cane for $9 USD at a local pharmacy, and if you have Medicaid and get a prescription for a cane from your doctor, then you can get one free or lower cost
Clothing Material – I’m not rich by any means, but I’ve been trying to buy clothing that’s only made from natural materials like 100% cotton whenever possible to help regulate my temperature better. Synthetic fabrics really exacerbated a lot of my health issues since they’re typically not very porous or breathable
Compression Gloves – I got my cute pink ones from BibiPins! They help a lot with my Raynaud’s syndrome, and I’m gonna try to get some compression socks for the same reason later
Duplicates – having duplicates of things in different areas is incredibly helpful to me. For example, I have a lotion bottle near my work station, in the bathroom, and by my bed so that I can easily meet my needs without having to greatly disrupt my brain in the moment
Ebooks at the Library – digital loans are single-handedly the only way I will never forget to return a book at the library or return it late; check if your library participates in apps like Overdrive and Libby that offer ebooks and audiobooks; you can read a lot of these on your phone without an e-reader like Kindle or Nook
Ebook Reader – Nook, Kindle, Sony Reader, Kobo Reader, and others are great for keeping reading material lightweight, but you can definitely still access books with a smartphone if you have one, and they’re also great for borrowing ebooks at the library if yours has the option
Food Elimination Test – a test my neurologist had me run for testing if any of them triggered headaches that helped me identify several foods that were triggering my headaches and some migraines:
For 8 weeks, avoid these foods entirely: bananas, cheese, chocolate, coffee and tea (although he said 1 small cup a day is fine), cured meats (ham, bacon, etc), cured fish (smoked salmon, etc), fermented foods, nuts, pickles, soda and other carbonated beverages, wine and beer, and yogurt.
After 8 weeks, reintroduce 1 food type at a time for 1 week to identify if it triggers a headache. He encouraged me to keep a journal to document the headache severity of each day over the duration of the test, as well as the location of the headache and the frequency.
And if you find something that triggers a headache, try to eliminate or reduce that food in your daily life!
Headphones – an oldie but goodie! Helpful for managing my hyperacusis when I need to focus for work
Lap Desk – this is very helpful for me since I have to do much of my work and personal tasks sitting on my couch; there is also a laptop-accommodating option
Library – Many of us are poor as hell, and accessing media can be hard. Local libraries have helped me have access to all kinds of books, DVDs, and other media that I can’t buy on my own. They also can have virtual and in person events, classes, and more. With COVID-19, a lot of libraries have been expanding their accessible options, and some, like the libraries in NYC, have eliminated late fees to better serve people like us! So check and see if you can check out the library book without having to worry about accumulating fines when you return it late
Making My Own Clothes – I know this isn’t something everyone can do, but I learned from youtube videos how to make my own skirts in 2020 and have since made a whole bunch of long, very loose skirts with huge pockets in them. I use 100% cotton to help regulate the temperature, and I pair them with a handmade petticoat in the winter for extra warmth. Having clothes that don’t hurt my skin and help regulate my temperature has literally made a humongous difference, especially in summer and winter!
Medical Office Stool – one of the things that’s helped me with working in my studio is having one of those rolling stools you can find at a lot of doctor offices!
Planner – I genuinely cannot function without my planner to help me remember things. I have begun creating my own, bullet-journal-esque style, and it’s been even more transformative since it meets more of my needs. I’m currently using Moleskine’s Expanded or Extra Thick dot grid journal because having the whole year in one notebook is best for me. I start making my planner each summer, usually around August, so that it’s ready for using by January 1st
Phone Alarms – setting up multiple alarms throughout my day is extremely helpful for remembering things like eating, medicine, showering, checking texts, etc.
Phone Notes – an excellent place for various reminders or things I don’t want to forget without crashing my phone from having too many internet tabs open
Silicone Ear Plugs – I have hyperacusis, so living in the city can often be a nightmare. When I really need to cut off as much sound as possible, I use silicone ear plugs to help block out sound. This was recommended to me by an ENT doc specifically for hyperacusis; she recommended dividing the ear plug in half to make them last longer
Smartphones – many people are eligible for free smartphones via Medicaid; check with your state for details to see if you qaulify; it’s not the best smartphone in the world, but it’ll do the trick for basic tasks
Stimming Toys + Devices – shops like Black Girl Lost Keys offer a variety of disabled fidget and stimming toys
Taking Frequent Breaks – this one honestly is one of the hardest things for me to do but one of the most helpful ones. Even when I don’t think I need it, I try to take several breaks throughout the day for at least 30 minutes each every few hours. It’s a great preventative measure
Transportation– many people are eligible for free or lower cost transportation (car services and public transportation) to and from doctor and medical appointments via Medicaid with a doctor’s note; check with your state for details
TrashNothing – a great place to look for people giving away assistive devices they no longer need; I once got a computer on there for free, and I’ve seen wheelchairs and other assistive devices on there so it’s definitely worth a shot! Also consider using this for conveniently moving things out of your home while reducing waste; a similar site is FreeCycle
Communities + Organizations
I’m pretty leery of organizations in general, so I’m mostly gonna recommend some communities I generally like here with a few organizations.
#ActuallyAutistic – a tag for amplifying people speaking about autism by actually autistic people (beware, there are occasionally attempts by non-autistic parents of autistic children to hijack the tag, but it’s still a good tag)
#AutisticWhileBlack – started by Kerima Cevik, a tag for Black autistics to speak about their experiences
#CripLit – started by Nicola Griffith, a tag for finding readings about disability and by disabled people
#CripTheVote, started by Alice Wong, a tag for political action and legislation affecting the disabled community
#DisabilityTooWhite, started by Vilissa Thompson, a tag for addressing and taking steps to undo racism within and about the disabled community
#DisabilityVisbility also #DisVisbility – started by Alice Wong, a tag about increasing the visibility of disabled people in all manners
#DisabledAndCute – started by Keah Brown, a tag about being disabled and cute at the same time
#DisHist – a tag for finding out history about disabled people
#DoctorsAreDickheads – started by StevieBoeBi on youtube and by Kim Sauder on twitter
#SpoonieChat, started by the very lovely Dawn Gibson, a chat for chronically ill people
#ThingsDisabledPeopleKnow – started by Imani Barbarin, a thread about what disabled people know from their experiences as disabled people in this world
A List of Even More Hashtags for the Disabled and Spoonie Community – a HUGE list of even more wonderful community hashtags compiled by the fabulous Tinu Abayomi-Paul (who I also can’t recommend you follow enough) to help you find even more people to connect with! Please consider tipping her for work if you’re able
Crutches + Spice – started and run by Imani Barbarin, badass speaker, writer, and advocate; genuinely cannot recommend that you check out Imani enough
Disability Visibility Project – started and run by Alice Wong; there’s an accompanying podcast which has now ended but that has 100 episodes for you to check out!
Disabled Writers – a database to help connect editors with disabled writers
Ramp Your Voice! – started and run by Vilissa Thompson, the creator of the tag #DisabilityTooWhite
Rooted in Rights – an organization dedicated to challenging the stigma against disabled people
Words I Wheel By – by Emily Ladau, who also does a yearly round up of disabled shops you can buy from during the winter holidays!
Readings
Some great readings + authors I’d recommend
Bitch – I recommend checking out their Access Series!
Da’Shaun Harrison – Da’Shaun writes a lot of great and thought-provoking works on the intersections of anti-Blackness, fatness, queerness, and disability
Twitter – I genuinely recommend checking out many of the hashtags in the previous section for reading more from disabled people
Why “You Don’t Let Your Disability Stop You” Is Nonsense – written by the wonderful Tinu Abayomi-Paul, who I highly recommend following for more readings and also general delightfulness
Shops
Disabled-owned shops for disabled people!
Other Tips + Tricks
Some helpful tips, tricks, advice, and suggestions from those who know
Diversifying Income as a Chronically Ill/Disabled Person – a thread started by Carrie Kellenberger
TikTok – I would genuinely recommend checking out Disabled TikTok for some fantastic community-shared info on life hacks
Looking for additional resources? Please check out my Resources page for more