#writing mobility aids

[cripplecharacters]

Should magical mobility aids be done at all or is it always bad?

In particular,some time ago i created a story,where a character who uses mobility aids ,the aid change the color of it based on its user's preferences at the moment so they do not have to replace them due to color.

Hey!

Magical mobility aids can be done well. The fact that they're usually bad and border (or not just border..) on a cure is just a correlation.

What you have sounds good. It's still a mobility aid that performs the function of the original aid, just more quirky. That's fun :). A wheelchair or cane that can change shape or color to match the user's preferences is very different from "magic aid that allows the author to not have to do research because they forget the character is disabled 5 pages after introducing the magic aid" (e.g. most sci-fi exoskeleton things, magic prosthetic that works perfectly with no drawbacks, etc., etc....).

"Magic" is a very broad category, so there's no "all magic aids are good/all magic aids are bad". As a rule of thumb try to consider:

does the magic mobility aid have a drastically different function to the original?

Is it magical to avoid acknowledging something that could otherwise be uncomfortable? (See: giving a character a levitating wheelchair because the writer doesn't want to bother thinking about actual accessibility, and admitting that their fantasy world is fundamentally inaccessible kinda ruins the vibe).

Does it cure the character in some way? (This can be tricky to some extent: mobility aids can, for example, mitigate some kinds of pain. When in doubt, research the real life equivalent.)

Why are you making that specific aid magical? (Examples:) Are you inventing a magic powerchair because your setting doesn't have electricity yet, or do you just think that realistic powerchairs are ugly? Is the white cane magical because it would be boring otherwise? Etc.

I don't think there is any issue with what you mentioned, but I figured a few questions like this could be helpful in letting others self-assess if their concept is maybe having some issues.

I hope this helps,

mod Sasza

[cripplecharacters]

[Image Description: Art, maybe a woodcut, of a Chinese man with a beard being pushed in a historical wheelchair. The wheelchair is like a seat with two wheels and two long handles, and the person pushing him is looking behind him and has his hair in a bun. There are three men in front of the two of them, and they seem to be heading in the same direction to a bridge. There are stylized trees and mountains in the background. End ID.]

Whgskl. Okay.

PSA to all you fantasy writers because I have just had a truly frustrating twenty minutes talking to someone about this: it’s okay to put mobility aids in your novel and have them just be ordinary.

Like. Super okay.

I don’t give a shit if it’s high fantasy, low fantasy or somewhere between the lovechild of Tolkein meets My Immortal. It’s okay to use mobility devices in your narrative. It’s okay to use the word “wheelchair”. You don’t have to remake the fucking wheel. It’s already been done for you.

And no, it doesn’t detract from the “realism” of your fictional universe in which you get to set the standard for realism. Please don’t try to use that as a reason for not using these things.

There is no reason to lock the disabled people in your narrative into towers because “that’s the way it was”, least of all in your novel about dragons and mermaids and other made up creatures. There is no historical realism here. You are in charge. You get to decide what that means.

Also:

“Depiction of Chinese philosopher Confucius in a wheelchair, dating to ca. 1680. The artist may have been thinking of methods of transport common in his own day.”

“The earliest records of wheeled furniture are an inscription found on a stone slate in China and a child’s bed depicted in a frieze on a Greek vase, both dating between the 6th and 5th century BCE.[2][3][4][5] The first records of wheeled seats being used for transporting disabled people date to three centuries later in China; the Chinese used early wheelbarrows to move people as well as heavy objects. A distinction between the two functions was not made for another several hundred years, around 525 CE, when images of wheeled chairs made specifically to carry people begin to occur in Chinese art.[5]”

“In 1655, Stephan Farffler, a 22 year old paraplegic watchmaker, built the world’s first self-propelling chair on a three-wheel chassis using a system of cranks and cogwheels.[6][3] However, the device had an appearance of a hand bike more than a wheelchair since the design included hand cranks mounted at the front wheel.[2]

The invalid carriage or Bath chair brought the technology into more common use from around 1760.[7]

In 1887, wheelchairs (“rolling chairs”) were introduced to Atlantic City so invalid tourists could rent them to enjoy the Boardwalk. Soon, many healthy tourists also rented the decorated “rolling chairs” and servants to push them as a show of decadence and treatment they could never experience at home.[8]

In 1933 Harry C. Jennings, Sr. and his disabled friend Herbert Everest, both mechanical engineers, invented the first lightweight, steel, folding, portable wheelchair.[9] Everest had previously broken his back in a mining accident. Everest and Jennings saw the business potential of the invention and went on to become the first mass-market manufacturers of wheelchairs. Their “X-brace” design is still in common use, albeit with updated materials and other improvements. The X-brace idea came to Harry from the men’s folding “camp chairs / stools”, rotated 90 degrees, that Harry and Herbert used in the outdoors and at the mines.[citation needed]

“But Joy, how do I describe this contraption in a fantasy setting that wont make it seem out of place?”

“It was a chair on wheels, which Prince FancyPants McElferson propelled forwards using his arms to direct the motion of the chair.”

“It was a chair on wheels, which Prince EvenFancierPants McElferson used to get about, pushed along by one of his companions or one of his many attending servants.”

“But it’s a high realm magical fantas—”

“It was a floating chair, the hum of magical energy keeping it off the ground casting a faint glow against the cobblestones as {CHARACTER} guided it round with expert ease, gliding back and forth.”

“But it’s a stempunk nov—”

“Unlike other wheelchairs he’d seen before, this one appeared to be self propelling, powered by the gasket of steam at the back, and directed by the use of a rudder like toggle in the front.”

Give. Disabled. Characters. In. Fantasy. Novels. Mobility. Aids.

If you can spend 60 pages telling me the history of your world in innate detail down to the formation of how magical rocks were formed, you can god damn write three lines in passing about a wheelchair.

Signed, your editor who doesn’t have time for this ableist fantasy realm shit.

[cy-cyborg]

Free Manual Wheelchair Reference Models

ID: A banner with grey 3D models of 5 kinds of manual wheelchairs in a line in front of the disability pride flag and text that reads "Manual Wheelchair References" /End ID

Edit: Since this post still gets picked up from time to time, an update is available for these models

For disability pride month, I decided to release a pack of 3D manual wheelchair models.

The pack includes 5 wheelchairs:

2 Active urban-style chairs (one of which includes a smart drive)

1 off-road active chair

1 children's wheelchair

and 1 standard "hospital" wheelchair).

All the wheelchairs are based off either wheelchairs I or friends of mine have used

Downloadable here!

or on the Clip Studio Paint Asset Store (ID 2097442) (there's been an issue with the CSP version, but the models in the download folder can be imported into clip studio paint until I can fix it)

More info about the download contents below:

The first download link includes the original .Blend file with all 5 chairs, as well as individual .obj or .fbx files the chairs (All but 1 have an .obj file, as they're only meshes. The chair with the smart drive is rigged, which is why it has an .Fbx file instead so it will retain that information) as well as a "read me" file that explains in more depth what kind of disability/character/lifestyle each chair is made for (These are just what I had in mind when I designed them, they are usable by other characters who don't fit the suggestions for the most part!) I wanted to include the Read Me contents in the CSP Asset Store listing, but CS said it was too long lol.

Also, as the title says, these files are free to use! While it's not mandatory, I would appreciate credit if you use them (or even just a tag so I can see the cool art you make with them!!)

I actually made these ages ago, the original plan was to use them in a series of posts then release the pack, but I never got around to making the series and so they've just been sitting here. I took a day off from art fight attacks to clean them all up and get them ready to post. If you experience any issues, let me know and I'll try to fix it up.

I had a couple more that were supposed to be in the pack including a sports (basketball/Tennis) wheelchair and some different styles of wheelchair, but I think the files corrupted so once I fix (or remake) them, I'll probably make a second pack.

If you have any issues, please let me know!

[genderqueerdykes]

on the topic of mobility aids i just want to throw out a non-comprehensive list of tips from someone who's been using mobility aids for 10 years

everyone has different needs and responds differently to certain mobility aids

if a cane isn't right for you, it doesn't mean you shouldn't look into other aids to see if they help

neurological conditions and things like strokes and brain aneurysms can cause someone to struggle with balance for life and are more than welcome to try out mobility aids

it doesn't matter if it's a genetic condition or an injury- consider an aid

wearing braces and using walkers, canes, and so on is very normal after injuries. please use them if you are in pain for a long time after an injury. injuries are serious too

if you buy a cane and it didn't work out for you, you're hurting no one

folding canes are helpful but have a lower weight limit generally speaking

crutches may be a good idea for you if you really struggle with balance and stability

your mileage will vary with each type of aid. you may benefit more from one aid at one time, and more from another in other situations. you may need several different kinds

if you need a rollator, wheelchair or scooter, it really is okay to get or try one. if your insurance won't cover it it's okay to buy or crowdfund one

walkers and rollators require low upper body strength, unless they need to be lifted up on to a curb in which case the user may need assistance

even the lightest and most well constructed wheelchairs are still heavy. they require a lot of upper body strength and mass to propel if you are doing it completely by yourself. you may also need assistance transporting them, getting them up or down hills, on to curbs, and so on

if you struggle to walk for extended periods of time (30+ minutes uninterrupted) you probably need some type of aid. if you have poor balance you may need some type of aid.

you're not hurting anyone if you end up not needing the aids. it's fine to try them

it doesn't matter if the pain or exhaustion or bad balance is related to your weight. you deserve to be as mobile as you want to and can be. its okay for fat people to use mobility aids. it's not embarrassing. being a fat person using a mobility aid in public isn't embarrassing. the people insinuating that are. fat people deserve quality of life

[mellosdrawings]

I'm a fervent "genuine cane user Azul" believer, just so you know. It just makes sense ? Guy who's got his legs cut from eight to two, who has bones and has to face gravity for the first time in his life, etc.

In the original Little Mermaid story, the mermaid's legs actually hurt her a lot whenever she took a step. Maybe it's not to that point for Azul, but he's explicitly said to have poor balance and stamina. A cane would just be the perfect mobility aid for him in all aspects.

[jasper-stims]

If it's raining, your cane tip is probably going to slip all over the place once inside a building. Especially on tile floors.

It can be harder to carry things or balance things as a cane user because you can only really use one arm/hand, and over-the-shoulder bags sometimes get in the way of using your cane.

Unless your cane is collapsable, you're probably going to have to deal with it falling over/down a lot when you're not actively using it. Leaning it up against things only works so well, especially in busy/public places with lots of movement.

People (especially kids) will try to touch it. People will move it if it's "in their way". Some people will even try to grab you by it to get your attention.

Some handles and materials are more comfortable/supportive than others. You might have to try out a few different kinds to find the best one for you.

Little things I don't think non-cane users would know cause Issues™, for reference in writing!

- gusty wind not only throws personal centre of balance off but if you've got a lightweight metal cane it will throw your placement of the cane off

- same goes for being driven past by busses or lorries

- uneven pavements can suck my ass the cane is meant to be parallel to your leg and this is very hard to do when the pavement isn't level

- same goes for cobbled streets, brick paved streets tend to be smoother so I love them <3

- some paving slabs get really slippy when they're wet! This often means that I lean on my cane much heavier bc I can't rely as much on even my good leg to stay stable

- yes cane height should be adjusted to account for heels/ wedged shoes it's a bit of a bastard if you used a fixed length cane

- using a cane for the first few days/weeks hurts! If u only use it irregularly/ on bad days it can hurt every time! Wrists aren't used to taking weight in this way.

Check RBs and my asks tag for more info!

[writing-disability-with-cy]

Free Manual Wheelchair Reference Models (Version 2)

ID: A 3D render of 5 brightly coloured manual wheelchairs in front of a disability pride flag. White text overlaid on the image reads "Manual Wheelchair Models" "Version 2". /End ID

I've updated the wheelchair models I released for last year's Disability pride month to include adjustable shaders/materials that carry over into programs like Clip Studio Paint for folks who just want to use them as reference, and (what I hope is) a clearer guide on how to use, import/export and make alterations to them!

Each chair is designed to suit different kinds of characters with different disabilities and lifestyles. The chairs available right now are:

2 Active urban-style chairs (one of which includes a rear-mounted power assist)

1 off-road active chair

1 children's wheelchair

and 1 standard "hospital" wheelchair.

and I'm planning to add 2 more by the end of disability pride month (2025)

You can download them for free On Ko-Fi!

They are pay-what-you-want, but there's no minimum price, so if you'd like them for free, just put $0 in

Or you can download the pack directly from Google Drive

included in each download is:

the original .blend file for each wheelchair model

an .obj and .mtl file for each chair that can be imported into other 3D modelling software or into some art programs like Clip Studio Paint

A link to a user's manual that explains how to make alterations to the files for those less familiar with Blender, and how to import and save them to your Clip Studio Paint Asset/Material library on both desktop and ipad versions of CSP.

I would really like to keep updating these files and eventually include rigs for each (one of these was rigged previously, but I'm not sure what happened, it seems to have broken after one of the Blender updates)

Just like last time, they're completely free to use, with the caveat that they can't be resold or used in AI training. Credit isn't required but is greatly appreciated (as are tags so I can see art that used them!)

[disabilityaidpositivity]

Certified mobility aid positivity post!

Hey you, yeah, you, give that character a mobility aid. Do it. That girl who canonically has a leg injury? Give her a cane. That guy that doesn't have a canonical injury but whom you feel ok your heart is definitely chronically ill? Give him a wheelchair. That character you headcanon as disabled because they just kinda feel like it in your head? Give them crutches! That character you really really like and really really relate too? Give em a rollator! Sky's the limit! Go wild! People are gonna have problems with us creating a space for ourselves regardless, might as well bring a few of our favorite characters and OCs with us!

[zaltynn]

that damn ball and chain

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65377144

fandom: ava: alan becker's animation vs animator

characters: the chosen one and the dark lord

summary: Chosen was prone to episodes where he thought he was still tethered to that damn ball and chain, and would be rooted to one spot in the house. Most times Chosen could deal with them in a few minutes, able to dismiss the hallucinations and flashbacks on his own or cut them off before they really began. Every once in a while they were harder to break. (Dark's POV)

or

ive never gotten over the animator enslaving chosen and chaining him up and i need more fics to talk about it

tags: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Hallucination, Hurt/Comfort

read below:

Dark could hear Chosen pacing downstairs again. Dark wished he could ignore it, so he could continue tinkering with whatever electrical device had caught his fancy that week (Currently he wanted to make their toaster only toast on the darkest setting but with a much faster timer. Don’t ask.), but it’s been a few hours now and Chosen evidently wasn’t going to snap out of it on his own this time.

It didn’t take Dark long to learn there was only one specific instance that would make The ever-steady Chosen One pace. The older stick was always very still outside of combat, not a fidgeter and capable of keeping to himself for hours on end without a peep.

So when Chosen paced, Dark worried.

Chosen was prone to episodes where he thought he was still tethered to that damn ball and chain, and would be rooted to one spot in the house. Most times Chosen could deal with them in a few minutes, able to dismiss the hallucinations and flashbacks on his own or cut them off before they really began.

Every once in a while they were harder to break.

Dark huffed, throwing his tools down onto his messy workbench. Standing up, Dark took a deep breath, reminding himself not to get too frustrated with something that was out of Chosen’s control. As he left the small lab, he passed the open doors to their bedrooms, seeing both of them were equal parts disgusting. While habitual of Dark (he had better things to do than clean his room), Chosen was usually neat, and that told him that Chosen had been struggling for the last few days. With a curse, he took to the stairs a little faster.

Of course Chosen hadn’t said anything.

While he loved his best friend dearly, Dark was often tired with Chosen’s lack of communication. He’d gotten very used to reading the other’s body language, but a guessing game was still that at the end of the day, and Dark could make mistakes or miss something.

Dark found Chosen pacing in the living room this time. There wasn’t anything out of place in the room, nothing that immediately called to him as the offender for the episode’s cause. The couch was still ratty with a suspicious stain on the middle cushion they refused to sit on, the door to the kitchen was still hanging crooked, and the windows were open with a nice breeze blowing through. There wasn’t anything that even suggested that Chosen had gotten caught on anything; no upturned corner of the carpet he’d tripped on, no blanket thrown askew he’d tangled himself into during a nap (things that had happened before, and Dark now knew to look out for). Chosen was wearing shorts because of the summer heat, so Dark could see clear as day that there’s only an ugly, irritated scar circling Chosen’s swollen ankle (no socks that could have triggered it either).

But Chosen was stuck, limping worse than usual and whenever he tried to exceed the length of the chain that wasn’t there, his foot got yanked back regardless.

Like an animal pacing a cage, Chosen was confined to a small circle of their living room. It was sickening to see that it was a smaller diameter than their ugly ragged area carpet.

A spike of anger strikes Dark. The Animator got away with his cruelty for far too long.

“Cho?” Dark approached, forcing a calm tone into his voice, but Chosen didn't answer.

Dark watched as Chosen made another rotation around the invisible central point in the carpet, and Chosen winced as a particular step hurts, but doesn’t stop.

Dark looked around the room, quickly finding the simple cane he’d stolen from a local pharmacy back when he first figured out Chosen’s limp wasn’t going to go away. Chosen never said anything, but he used the cane on the worst days that made Dark feel like his actions were appreciated.

Grabbing the cane, Dark approached Chosen and held it out for him to take, but the other didn’t even acknowledge him. Dark reached forward and touched Chosen lightly with the cane, trying to nudge the other to take it.

Chosen flinched hard and smacked the object away, sending it flying back towards the door. He made eye contact with Dark, breathing hard. They stand there a moment, blinking in surprise at each other.

“...Dark?” Chosen seems to be only just realizing he’s no longer alone in the room.

Dark frowned, holding his hands out in surrender, “That bad, eh?”

Chosen glanced around the room, finally landing on the central point in the carpet, and tensing up. He shook his head and started pacing again, trying more fervently to leave the circle.

“Cho- it’s not there,” Dark tried, smart enough to not try reaching out and touching him again.

He didn’t get a reply for a second time, and Dark decided he’d try something new.

He knows the ‘right’ thing to do would be to ground Chosen in reality somehow, but it worked maybe four out of ten times and the rest would result in Dark getting increasingly frustrated; and that would only lead to Chosen getting reactionary and Dark lashing out in return, which would make Chosen completely shut him out. Dark wasn’t in the mood for a fight, which sometimes broke out from those situations, as they only served to tug at dark urges in the back of Dark’s mind, telling him to choke his friend out until he stopped breathing.

Dark swears they’re working on the communication thing, but he’s a chronic liar.

“Cho?”

Chosen hummed, still pacing, but listening. They were off to a good start.

“Where’s the ball?” Dark asked.

Chosen froze, turning to Dark quickly. He didn’t answer, watching Dark intensely.

Dark could almost see the gears turning in his head. Knowing Chosen’s propensity of overthinking himself into being unable to ask for clarification, Dark walks up close to Chosen and looks down at the faint circle his friend has drawn in the carpet. Finding the centre, Dark bent down and held his hands out as if to grab something and looked back at Chosen, who’d begun to tremble.

“Am I holding it?” Dark asked softly.

“You can’t lift it-” Chosen almost pleaded, his voice suddenly raw.

Dark knew not by Chosen’s own words, but simply through his actions, the supposed weight of the ball. Chosen couldn’t walk freely while he wore it, and knowing intimately how strong Chosen is, Dark knew he wouldn’t be able to lift it either. Chosen, after all, was stronger than Dark, and he had endured captivity for years before escaping.

But Dark would do anything for Chosen, and hoped that Chosen knew that.

So at the potential of embarrassing himself, he got up from crouching, still holding his hands out as if grabbing the offending object. He acted as if it was heavy, watching Chosen carefully.

“H-How-” Chosen gasped, bug-eyed and leaning away from Dark.

A small spark of hope clawed in Dark’s chest, nigh-on painful. He- Dark’s actually affecting Chosen’s hallucinations right now. He didn’t think that’d work.

He didn’t think that’d work.

“Cho, you got out,” Dark promises, “You’re free now.”

Chosen couldn’t look away from Dark’s empty hands.

Dark took a step back, and Chosen quickly stumbled forward. “Don’t-!” Chosen wheezed, his breath coming faster in panic. He reached out as if to grab the ball but retracted his hands just as fast.

“Let’s take a walk,” Dark suggested.

Chosen frantically shook his head.

“I’m right here with you, Cho. I won’t yank the chain, I won’t stop you from going anywhere,” Dark was the one pleading now, becoming more convinced this method was going to work. Chosen needed the reminder he was free, and Dark was happy to oblige.

“I-” Chosen heaved, flicking his attention between the ball and chain and Dark’s genuine expression.

“I’ve got it,” Dark gestured to his empty hands. “We can go wherever you want, I promise,” Dark insisted, and Chosen looked at him with the most heartbreaking trusting expression Dark’s ever seen.

Chosen seemed to collect himself, and took a small step away from Dark. He stepped with Chosen to encourage him, and Chosen shook as he stepped out with his bad leg. He buckled, grabbing Dark’s arm quickly to stabilize himself and stepped forward again to relieve the weight from his bad leg.

Chosen panted, trembling with the effort. Looking down, he saw that he’d taken a step past the carpet he’s been prisoner to for hours, and disbelieving tears streamed down his face.

Dark whispered encouragement, joy filling him as together they start a staggering walk to the front door. He’s shocked to find his usual frustration over these episodes wasn’t anywhere to be found, just relief that he’d finally found some way to help.

They paused at the door, Chosen rubbing his tear-soaked face with his shirt, hiding in the collar of it for a minute. Dark waited patiently, not moving an inch without his friend’s say-so.

“Do you want to go outside?” Dark asked, unsure if he should press further or if this was enough to coax Chosen to escape the episode.

“Please-” Chosen hiccupped, still trembling badly.

“Okay, but I want you to take your cane, alright?”

Chosen nodded, and glanced around, noting its position on the ground a foot away.

Dark followed his glance, and watched as Chosen stared it down for a solid thirty seconds. “If you can’t bend down-”

“I can do it-” Chosen huffed.

Dark’s tone became stern, “No, you can’t, can you? I’ll hand it to you-”

Chosen’s grip on his arm tightened, and he eyed Dark’s hands, “Your hands are full-”

Dark glanced down, “I can put it down-”

Chosen shook his head.

Dark turned to face Chosen, making the other release his arm. Dark softened his voice, “- it’ll be for just a second, Cho. I’ll get you your cane and pick it right back up.”

He swallowed hard, nodding minutely.

That was all the permission Dark needed. He bent over to put the ‘ball’ down, making sure to ‘place’ it next to Chosen’s foot so he could find it easily and not break the immersion he had with Chosen right now. Taking a quick moment to assess Chosen’s left leg, he noted how bad the swelling of his scarred ankle was, and how his knee was also noticeably swelling. Dark could only imagine Chosen’s hip was also bothering him. If Chosen hadn’t wanted to go outside, Dark would’ve made him go lie down with several ice packs for the rest of the day.

Standing up, Dark squeezed Chosen’s arm for a moment before stepping away to retrieve the fallen cane and quickly returned to his friend’s side, handing it over.

Chosen accepted the cane this time, taking it in his right hand and easily assuming position to use it.

Without a word, and Chosen’s gaze burning into his head, Dark bent back down to pick up the ball again. ‘Holding’ it again, Dark gave Chosen a confident smile, “See? Just a second.”

Chosen relaxed a small bit, and turned to open the front door, without glancing at the ball again. Dark took that as a huge victory.

A light breeze greeted them as they stepped outside together, the warm day shining almost too bright to bear. Chosen closed his eyes and basked in the sunlight, more tension bleeding from his frame.

Dark grinned, and waited for Chosen to close the door behind them and take the lead. He grabbed hold of Dark’s arm again, a soft grip around his elbow this time as they took a slow pace down the path from their home.

As they walked, Dark slowly dropped his hands to his sides, letting go of the pretend-ball. Chosen didn’t really seem to notice he’d done so, so focused on the cadence of his own steps and placing his cane properly for each one.

They were still within view of the house when Chosen pulled to a stop, releasing his hold on Dark. He was heaving from the exercise rather than from emotional distress now. “...Thank you,” he whispered, his voice weak.

Dark gave another of his wide grins, and threw an arm over Chosen’s shoulders. “Anything for you, Cho.”

Soon, they’d go back inside, Dark having to take on more of Chosen’s weight as his leg tires from all the walking that irritated it, but for now they’d enjoy their freedom for a little longer together.

[cripplecharacters]

How do you think multi-use public restrooms could be reconfigured to better accommodate wheelchair/crutch/cane users in a roughly modern setting? (By multi-use, I mean the ones with a line of stalls rather than a whole room with one toilet).

I always thought it ironic that the large stall tends to be at the end of the line and believed it may be better to have that reversed (large stall first). Is that a sensical thought? What other suggestions would you have besides a lower sink and, of course, room to move the wheelchair/crutch/cane?

Although this setting is roughly modern in terms of technology ability and knowledge, feel free to provide your most creative answers. I'd even appreciate a difference between slight changes in real universe that would make an impact vs alternate modern universe where accessibility was thought of by default. All stalls are large? Better layout than a single file line of stalls? Etc.

Thank you for your time!

Hello!

I have... a LOT of thoughts about this. For reference, I use a cane full time and have used a wheelchair in the past when it was needed, though I no longer have access to it (I was borrowing my boyfriend's old one but have since moved cities).

So a few things:

Grab bars in every stall. These are the metal bars along the side of the stall that you usually see in accessible stalls. They're used to help people with stability/balance issues sit and stand from the toilet. There are a lot of people who only use the accessible stall because they need the support of the grab bars. If these were in every stall, it would open up the larger accessible stall for people who need it for the other supports (More space, the emergency call cord, etc.). These are relatively cheap and easy to install too.

Hand sanitizer dispensers in the accessible stall or, ideally, in every stall. These are another thing that's relatively cheap and easy to install and would benefit everyone. I usually carry hand sanitizer on me anyways because I dislike the idea of using my cane before washing my hands. This would also help people who have the same problem with their wheelchair (Not wanting to touch the wheels before washing their hands), people with sensitivities to hand soaps, and even just people who want to use them.

More accessible stalls. This one is a bit less realistic to hope for as it would be more expensive and difficult to change but it would also be one of the most beneficial, especially in places where there are lots of disabled people coming and going at once. I'm thinking places like hospitals, school accessibility offices, etc. but also places with large amounts of people in general like stadiums and event venues.

Also just more stalls in general. Especially in the men's washroom. I keep meaning to write a post about this for my own blog but it's an issue I think about a lot. It's 2024 and there's STILL a lot of men's washrooms where I live that either only have one stall (Usually an accessible stall) or don't have stalls at all. I'm sure it's some sort of 'ADA/AODA/whatever it is where you are' violation but it's also a problem for trans people, people that are shy, kids, people that just prefer to sit, the elderly, etc. It's kind of ridiculous that this is still a thing in 2024.

More actual fully accessible washrooms. These are not at all feasible for a multiuse washroom (The kind you're referring to) but should be in addition to one. With this, I'm referring to a large washroom with adult-sized changing tables, emergency call cords, lots of space, large garbage cans, sharps containers, etc. This is something that I rarely see even in hospitals but it's so important for people that have caretakers and need that extra support. As for the sharps container, it can be very beneficial for people that need to inject medication and it's something I wish that more places had. (My general alternative is to cap the needle and return it to my "pouch" in a separate pocket from the unused ones)

Having everything in reach of the toilet. By this, I mean things like toilet paper, garbage bins, sinks (If they're in the stall), hand sanitizer dispensers, etc. This is usually already the case with toilet paper and such but it's incredibly annoying and difficult to navigate when this isn't the case.

Also just having garbage bins in all stalls (Or, at least, in all washrooms). A lot of women's washrooms already have this in some capacity but most men's washrooms don't even have a garbage bin in the main section of it (Outside the stalls). This is another thing that would be incredibly easy and cheap to do and would help so many people including disabled people that need to discard medical supplies (Catheters and incontinence supplies are the big ones that come to mind since it's not sanitary or easy to discard of them elsewhere whereas you can easily pocket an empty medication bottle or bandage remnants to throw away later), people who need to throw away sanitary products, even just people who use toilet paper to blow their nose or something. There's literally so many uses and I don't see any downside to this at all.

More hooks in stalls to hang things like jackets and bags. This is something I see a lot in the regular stalls but strangely not as often in the accessible stalls. Which... seems especially odd to me as a lot of us rely on things like small, over-the-shoulder bags and fanny packs as we don't always have access to both hands to carry things. These would also be beneficial to hang things like canes (I'm mostly thinking of white canes, which usually have a fabric loop on the end) while using the toilet. This is another super cheap and easy thing that can be done and would benefit everyone.

More accessible doors to washrooms. For whatever reason a lot of the multi-use washrooms where I live don't have accessible doors and it's incredibly frustrating and inconvenient to be fighting for my life to open a door when I already need to pee. Just... not fun.

The placement of the accessible stalls is an issue too, just usually not in the way most people would assume. At least for my boyfriend and I, it's more of a problem when the washrooms are crowded. I'm thinking of our recent experience at a concert where we had to navigate through the crowd to reach the very far end where the stall was. Not a huge thing or something that happens all that often, but it is annoying.

The other thing that comes to mind is lower sinks and also having the paper towels, hand dryers, or what not closer to the sinks. It's incredibly annoying and uncomfortable to have to use a cane, wheelchair, or crutches when you have soggy hands just to get to the dryer. This isn't something that's too hard to implement in most cases but it could be expensive depending on what drying method is used (Such as hand dryers versus paper towel dispensers). This is another reason that I usually use my hand sanitizer instead.

Aside from the facilities themselves (And this is less for mobility disabilities and more general accessibility), things like having braille on the signs as well as clear symbols if the washroom is separated by male vs female. None of those minimalistic aesthetic ones. Not everyone can differentiate by those.

There are countless others but I think I've spoken enough about this for one post 😅. Hopefully some of this is helpful.

Cheers!

~ Mod Icarus

[rollingblakely]

love me in the stillness.

when I cancel plans.

when my body shuts the door

on a day I dreamed of.

hold me in the absence.

not as a burden,

but as a being

who wants so badly

to show up.

sometimes, I’m all soul.

let that be enough.

[futchbookslut]

If you're writing a character who uses a wheelchair, crutches, a cane, walker, any type of mobility aid, and you yourself don't use said aid, here's a little tip: we are not "confined" to our mobility aid. We're not "trapped" in it. It's not "holding us back" (and if I see any of you use the phrase "using x as a crutch" I'm coming for you).

Our aids allow us to be mobile in a way we wouldn't otherwise be. They are called mobility aids for a reason. They *help* us. You have GOT to turn off that ableist part of your brain that thinks it would be oh so terrible for you to be "forced" to use a mobility aid, and thus, assume that disabled people feel the same.

And yes, some disabled people have complicated feelings about their mobility aid. They're allowed to. But you, as an abled writer, have no business painting mobility aids like they're a tragedy. If you see a disabled person who uses a mobility aid out in public and think "that must really suck," your first priority should be examining your own biases about disability.

[cy-cyborg]

Tips for wring amputees: its ok if your amputee can't repair their own prosthetics

There's a trope in fiction for amputees to always be these mechanical geniuses who can make and repair their own prosthetics, endlessly tinkering away and improving them. This isn't a particularly trope, and i dont think its harmful or anything, but in reality, prosthetics are REALLY, REALLY complicated, and a lot of amputees cant do their own repairs. And thats ok. Like, prosthetic creation and repair is way, way harder than I think people expect. Well outside the skillset of your standard mechanic, handy man or craftsperson.

People who make and repair prosthetics are called prosthetists. To become a prosthetist, most countries around the world today require you to have completed a bachelor's degree in specifically in prosthetics and orthotics, which covers not only how to make a prosthetics (and orthodics) but a great deal of medical knowledge, physics, how different forces impact "non-standard" bodies, the additional biological wear-and-tear that comes with being an amputee and so much more. This will qualify you to do the job of fitting/making the prosthetic socket (the part that attaches to your body) and putting premade components together to make a functioning device. On top of this, many prosthetists are also expected to have artistic skills, sewing skills, good physical strength and dexterity, IT skills, and more recently, knowledge of 3D modelling and printing.

You want to make all the high-tech components the prosthetists put together to make the full prosthetic? The requirements for that vary country to country, but most will require at least some level study in the field of engineering and/or medicine, on top of what was already required for the prosthetics course.

The reason for all this is because even "basic" prosthetics are extremely finicky, and messing up one thing will have a domino effect on the rest of the body, especially in more complicated prosthetics. It can also result in people getting severally injured if anything is even slightly off. many leg amputees for example end up with spinal issues due to extremely minor issues with their prosthetic that weren't caught until years later, and by then the damage had been done.

Some amputees do learn to do basic repairs. This is most common in places like the US, where a visit to the prosthetist can cost hundred to thousands of dollars (depending on your insurance), but it's also quite common in rural parts of countries like Australia, where cost isn't an issue but access is due to vast distances between major cities. I was personally in this category; as a kid, my nearest prosthetist was 6 hours away. My prosthetist was able to teach my dad, who later taught me, how to do some of the simple repairs, but we still needed to go in every few weeks for the more complex stuff (Kids prosthetic need more adjusting than adults because they're still growing. Also I was rough on my prosthetics and broke them a lot lol).

But even after being taught how to do repairs and having my prosthetics for 20+ years, I only ever did these sorts of repairs to my below-knee prosthetic. I will not do any repairs of any kind to my above knee leg, which is much more technologically complex. Every time I tried, I made it worse to the point where the leg was unusable. I just leave those repairs to the guy who went to university to learn how to do it, and sometimes even he needs to send it off to someone with even more specialist knowledge when it's really badly messed up lol. Last time that happened Australia post lost the package. Not really relevant to this post, I just find the idea of it being sent to the wrong place by accident hilarious, it was one of my more realistic legs too so someone probably had a heart attack when they opened that package lmao.

Anyway, back on track lol.

This isn't even touching on the fact that on some more advanced prosthetics, many features are actually locked behind a security barrier only prosthetists can access. My prosthetic knee has an app on my phone I can pair it to, that allows me to change certain settings and swap between certain modes for different activities that tell the leg to change its behaviour depending on what I'm doing (e.g. a mode for running, a mode for cycling etc). but most of the more in-depth settings I can't access, only my prosthetist can, and he can only gain access to those settings with a security key given to him by the manufacturing company that requires him to provide proof of his credentials to receive it. I don't really agree with this btw, something about being locked out of my own leg's settings makes me feel a bit of an ick, but it's set up like this because people used to be able to access these settings and they would mess with things to the point their leg was virtually unusable. Because altering one setting had a domino effect on all the others, and a lot of folks weren't really paying attention to what they were messing with, all their prosthetists could do was factory reset the whole leg, which causes some issues too. Prosthetic arms are often similarly complex, as I understand it and have similar security barriers in place for more advanced arms. I don't know for sure though, so take that with a grain of salt.

All this to say these are incredibly delicate, finicky and complex pieces of equipment. There's nothing wrong with having a techy amputee character who can do their own repairs, but in reality, that is pretty rare, and its ok to have your character need to see a prosthetist or someone more knowledgeable than them. It's a part of the amputee experience I don't see reflected very often in media. In fact, the only examples I can think of in fiction (meaning not stories based on real people) where this is reflected are Full metal alchemist.

technically I think Subnautica Below Zero also mentions prosthetists are a thing in that world, but its a very "blink and you'll miss it" kind of thing...in fact I did miss it until my last playthrough lol.

[genderqueerdykes]

I have a question and I hope it is phrased right. Is it wrong for me as a fat person to sometimes wish I could just go out using a wheelchair? My feet get sore a lot faster than I wish as well as other joint, nerve and musculoskeletal pain I'm not entirely sure is related to fatness. Technically I'm completely capable of still walking with no barrier besides pain so I feel weird desiring a wheelchair for comfort

i honestly don't see this as being too much of an issue. i believe my highest weight was 360 lbs at one point and it was extremely hard to walk or move. the thing about this is that you can become disabled due to complications with weight and that's not a bad thing at all. focusing on someone's weight when they're dealing with pain isn't productive. we need to make sure you're not hurting all the time first and then your weight can be addressed if it is genuinely causing you issues. it's hard to know right away- in my eyes, it's more important to treat the pain and the issues first.

either way it sounds like you need help with a mobility aid. whether or not it's due to your weight, you sound like you're miserable. even if it's due to fatness it deserves to be taken seriously and treated accordingly. i don't think it's okay to tell someone who's fat that they can't get a mobility aid because their pain may be due to fatness. why do that matter? it's pain, we need to treat it. we need to make sure you're not putting yourself in pain and harming yourself

you may find that if you get some type of mobility aid you'll get some stamina back and lose any weight that may be affecting you negatively. a mobility aid may help you move around more. if not, it's okay that you tried that. either way i totally think it's okay if you want to try a mobility aid. you want to get out there in ways that are accessible to you. i don't think there's anything wrong with that

if you have anything diagnosed that could point toward you having issues walking around on foot for long periods you may be able to get something covered by insurance. either way i support you. let us know if you have any additional questions, best of luck to you

[cursedwithcaution]

Finding Palismen || Chapter 59: Take Your Time

[ID: Digital art of Hunter from TOH sitting in a self-propelled manual wheelchair. He's wearing a plain blue t-shirt and brown sweatpants along with white Crocs and yellow socks. His hair is long and tied back. He looks down at where his left hand rests on the push-rim of the wheelchair with a melancholic expression. A long dark shadow looms over him. Title text at the top reads "Finding Palismen / 59: Take Your Time" /End ID]

excerpt and title-free version of the art under the cut

I’d rejected the wheelchair idea the first two times. I figured I’d either get over it by myself or die within a few days, but neither of those things seemed like they were going to happen. And as much as I want to die, I think there must be some part of me that wants to live. I guess it was that part that answered Eda. Okay. That night, Luz and Camila came over with a special delivery. Eda brought me downstairs, and there it was. A black and silver wheelchair. There were a few scuffs on the tires and footrests, but otherwise it seemed shiny and new. Wasn’t as big as I expected it to be. Not really sure what I was expecting. I stared at it for a while, sitting on the couch with Luz while Eda and Camila talked in the kitchen. “So,” Luz said after an uncomfortably long silence. “What do ya think?” I shrugged and made an I don’t know sound.  “Yeah,” she said. “That’s fair.” I fussed with a loose string on my shirt. “I’m glad you decided to use it.” Her eyes were fixed on the chair facing us from the other side of the coffee table. “I think it’ll really help. Hopefully.” I tried to smile at her. I wanted to believe her. I really needed that hope. Our moms came back in, both holding a cup of apple blood (I thought Camila didn’t like the stuff but maybe she changed her mind). “Do you want to try it out, mijo?” Camila asked. “I want to make sure it’s comfortable for you.” Might as well get it over with. I resisted giving my default shrug and nodded.  Eda pushed the table out of the way. Camila made sure the chair was unfolded all the way and then pulled it up to the couch. “Ready?” One of them said. Look how weak you’ve let yourself become. I froze. It was just in my head. His voice. No one else heard it. “Hunter?” Now you’re just going to give up? I stared at the wheelchair, everything else around it blurring out of focus. I hadn’t heard him that clearly while awake since the mindscape. The voices of my family were muffled. You know you could be strong again. I’d rejected the wheelchair idea the first two times. I figured I’d either get over it by myself or die within a few days, but neither of those things seemed like they were going to happen. And as much as I want to die, I think there must be some part of me that wants to live. I guess it was that part that answered Eda. Okay. That night, Luz and Camila came over with a special delivery. Eda brought me downstairs, and there it was. A black and silver wheelchair. There were a few scuffs on the tires and footrests, but otherwise it seemed shiny and new. Wasn’t as big as I expected it to be. Not really sure what I was expecting. I stared at it for a while, sitting on the couch with Luz while Eda and Camila talked in the kitchen. “So,” Luz said after an uncomfortably long silence. “What do ya think?” I shrugged and made an I don’t know sound.  “Yeah,” she said. “That’s fair.” I fussed with a loose string on my shirt. “I’m glad you decided to use it.” Her eyes were fixed on the chair facing us from the other side of the coffee table. “I think it’ll really help. Hopefully.” I tried to smile at her. I wanted to believe her. I really needed that hope. Our moms came back in, both holding a cup of apple blood (I thought Camila didn’t like the stuff but maybe she changed her mind). “Do you want to try it out, mijo?” Camila asked. “I want to make sure it’s comfortable for you.” Might as well get it over with. I resisted giving my default shrug and nodded.  Eda pushed the table out of the way. Camila made sure the chair was unfolded all the way and then pulled it up to the couch. “Ready?” One of them said. Look how weak you’ve let yourself become. I froze. It was just in my head. His voice. No one else heard it. “Hunter?” Now you’re just going to give up? I stared at the wheelchair, everything else around it blurring out of focus. I hadn’t heard him that clearly while awake since the mindscape. The voices of my family were muffled. You know you could be strong again.

tysm for reading <3

[virtualplays]

Linked Disability Day 4

Prompt: Mobility Aids

6 adventures is bound to have some negative side effects, Legend just wished this one wasn't so obvious.

OR

The Chain learns that Legend uses a cane.

Also posted on Ao3!

@linked-disability

"It Increases My Melee Range"

Link, or Legend as he's come to be known as, has been on 5 adventures. Technically 6, but it's easier to lump two of them together. These adventures have caused him extreme pain, both mentally and physically. Not to say that he doesn't enjoy the adventures, quite the opposite in fact. No matter the pain that they bring him, the thrill of them always draws him back.

A little known fact about Legend is that he uses a cane. He typically doesn't, but there are days that his leg simply refuses to cooperate with him. Today happened to be one of those days.

Waking up, Legend felt fine. There wasn't any new pain, nor was he missing any of his usual pain. He was fine while packing up camp and continuing to make their way to the nearby monster camp. Legend could feel something was off, but his leg didn't truly betray him til they were about an hour away from the camp.

While in the middle of a conversation with Hyrule, Legend's leg gave out from under him. This is where we join our heroes.

---------------------

"So yes, small, white birds are little terrors and I stand by that fact-" Legend collapsed mid sentence, grunting as he hit the dirt.

Hyrule inhaled sharply as Legend collapsed, "Ledge, are you alright?"

"Oh yes, I'm totally fine. It's not like I'm covered in dirt now." came Legend's sarcastic reply as he pushed himself to sit up.

"Don't get sarcastic with me, Legend," Hyrule narrowed his eyes at the veteran hero, "You just collapsed. That's not something a "fine" person would do!"

Sighing, Legend tried to stand, "I told you, Rulie, I'm fine- Oh, for FUCKS SAKE-"

Legend would stand, only to collapse once more. Hyrule would grab at Legend to stop him from hitting the ground again. Pulling Legend to lean against him, Hyrule began to search the Vet for any hidden injuries.

"Rulie, I'm fine," Legend would push at Hyrule's head, "I'm not hiding any injuries. I know that's what you're looking for."

Hyrule would raise a brow, rolling his eyes. He'd whistle, gaining the attention of the heroes who hadn't noticed Legend's fall. The members of the Chain who had kept walking paused at Hyrule's whistle and quickly turned around.

"Din dammit, Hyrule, you didn't have to call 'em over here." Legend would roll his eyes, pulling out a bundle of fabric from his pouch.

Hyrule would ignore Legend's words, keeping his eyes on the returning members of the Chain. Tracking how far away they were, Hyrule would key an ear peeled for any sounds of discomfort from Legend.

Legend would fiddle with the bundle of fabric, unwrapping a brown, collapsed cane. Unfolding the cane, Legend would ignore the shouts of concern from the Chain as they saw him leaning on Hyrule.

Tuning out any questions from the Chain, Legend pushed off Hyrule. He'd grunt as he leaned on the cane. Farore's fragile ego, Legend hadn't needed to use this specific cane in a while.

Adjusting his weight accordingly, Legend would begin walking forward. He'd push past both older and younger heroes, continuing on their journey to the monster camp. Legend could hear the heroes scrambling to follow after him, the shock wearing off.

Legend found himself falling to pace with Wind. The pirate would look at Legend with a calculating look.

"Ask your question, sailor," Legend barely spared the kid a glance.

"One, I be a pirate! Nah a sailor! Two, why do ye be havin' that?" Wind gestured to the cane in Legend's hand.

Legend debated on giving Wind the true answer for a moment. On one hand, the kid couldn't use this against him. On the other, he would more than likely share this knowledge with the rest of the Chain.

Grinning, Legend raised his eyebrow, "You really wanna know?"

"Duh, I wouldna 'ave asked if I didn'!" Wind huffed, crossing his arms.

Still grinning, Legend dramatically whispered, "It increases my melee range."