Columns | Minced Words

Unlearning the Ableism of Cookbooks and Kitchen Wisdom

When I developed nerve problems in my hands, so much of what we do in the kitchen was suddenly inaccessible to me.

This is Minced Words, a column by Gabrielle Drolet on bringing the conversation about accessibility into the kitchen.

tiny

portable

When disability is the subject of mainstream conversation, people have a tendency to prioritize the big picture—how health impacts work, school, and maybe hobbies. Outlets publish articles about accessible housing and health equity. People talk about how difficult it is for disabled people to get the care they need, or the structural barriers that make life harder. These conversations are important, but they also fail to consider disability on a smaller, more intimate scale.

dishwasher

I have a hard time doing dishes because of my hands