Experiences of food access among disabled adults in Toronto, Canada
Naomi Schwartz, Ron Buliung, Kathi Wilson
Abstract
Physical access to food is frequently studied using universal measures, like distance to stores, excluding experiences of people who move or travel differently, like disabled people who choose to use mobility aids. Aiming to understand disabling experiences of food access, mobile interviews were conducted with 23 disabled adults who use mobility aids and/or experienced physical barriers to mobility. This study uses a critical ableist studies perspective, looking beyond the effect of the ‘disabled body’ and focuses on relational distances to food, including physical, economic, and social resources that could lead to pathways of disablement. Results highlight intersecting disabling barriers to food access, including socioeconomic barriers and physical barriers within the home, neighbourhoods, transportation, and food destinations and temporal inaccessibility due to construction and inclement weather. These findings suggest the importance of improving and enforcing accessibility standards in public and private places in coordination with addressing socioeconomic disadvantage of disabled people. Points of interestDisabled people experience greater risk of food insecurity.Food insecurity for disabled people could be reduced with increased incomes from disability income sources or through a basic income supplement.Physical barriers to mobility were located within the home, neighbourhoods, transport systems, and food destinations. Limited income often resulted in greater physical barriers to food access (e.g., inadequate housing or transportation) and reduced ability to overcome physical mobility barriers.Disruptions related to construction, weather, or mechanical breakdowns resulted in risks to safety and uncertain food access.