Spoonie Table

Being disabled isn’t always talked about openly. Whether it’s about business, accessibility, or simply the realities of everyday life, so many truths go unsaid — the good, the difficult, and everything in between.

That’s why I created Spoonie Table: to offer a space where we can share these truths safely.

Today, I’m introducing a new hashtag: 💙 [blue heart emoji]

This will be our place to share whatever’s on our minds — the good, the bad, and the messy in between. Let’s use it together, love it, and make it a space where we can all feel seen and safe.

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Image description:
A beige square graphic with centered teal text. The larger heading says: “Bringing you: .” Below, in smaller text, it reads: “A place to share the honest realities of being disabled.” At the bottom of the image is the Spoonie Table logo in multicolored text: red, mustard yellow, teal, and dark gray.

NOTE: This isn’t my own experience — I’m sharing it after hearing from another disabled person in the community through the Ottawa Disability Coalition.

During construction — or in this case, a renovation — so many people come together to plan and make decisions. What I’ll never understand is the moment someone says, “Oh, this’ll be fine” or “That’s good enough.” Because that’s the exact moment they’ve chosen to exclude people.

That’s what happened during the renovation of Westboro Beach. Yes, there’s a ramp — but it stops halfway to the water. There’s no safe place to store a mobility aid while its user is swimming. Details like these make it clear: we weren’t part of the process, the planning, or the outcome.

Hire disabled consultants. Work with disabled designers. Include us.

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Image description: A beige rectangular graphic with a teal border. In teal text it reads: “Access created for only certain people is not access.” The words “only certain” are italicized, and "not access" is bolded. At the bottom is the colorful Spoonie Table logo.