Growing Food in This Body: A Project to Dismantle Ableism Within Nature Spaces

Image description: Sketch of two hands side by side of each other with fingers pointing down. Each hand is holding onto a small pink branch with pink leaves. Above the hands there is text that reads: accessibility, inclusivity, and community responsibility. Below the hands is text that reads #GrowingFoodInThisBody.

Growing Food in This Body is a project dedicated to collecting videos, images, and writings that focuses on:

• Highlighting and unpacking injustices within nature spaces

• Discussing what accessibility and inclusivity can look like in nature

• Offering tips and steps to help dismantle ableism in nature spaces

• Providing media representation of people of all abilities engaging in nature

Why did I start this project?
We all depend on nature. It is a human right to have access to safe nature spaces. However, this isn’t always the reality for disabled people and other individuals (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, etc.). Inaccessible nature spaces, non-inclusive programs and events, and products made for non-disabled and non-divergent bodies prevent so many people from participating in nature.

I believe we can do better. For me, it starts with listening to disabled people. Although I have a background in occupational therapy and my own mental and sensory disabilities, I have a lot to learn from others. I have been interviewing disabled folks who feel connected to nature and highlighting our dialogue through this project.

I am hoping this project can inspire everyone to unpack their own ableist views, advocate for accessibility, and make changes where they can.

Interested in being a part of this project? Please reach out to me at kristiecab@gmail.com.