Veganism And Disability

Some people take to veganism like a rescued factory-farmed duck to water. For others, it is not so easy and for some disabled people, there are unique barriers and complications that can make the diet challenging at best.

We know that a vegan diet is significantly cheaper than a meat-based one but eating vegan on a budget relies on us being able to source ingredients and cook from scratch, which is not always possible with a disability. For those who rely on pre-prepared dishes, the cost rises and accessibility decreases, while those who depend entirely on someone else cooking for them may not be in a position to choose or dictate. Plus, if someone is in pain or exhausted, even considering a change of diet can feel overwhelming. We know these are very real challenges.

free resources

However, there are many people living with a disability who are fully vegan. They have found practical and often creative ways to adopt and maintain an ethical, sustainable, and healthy plant-based diet, despite the additional challenges they may face.

If you are planning to move towards a vegan diet our guest blog, The Disabled Guide to Veganism offers a useful introduction. If you have concerns about nutrition, some vegan nutritionists offer free initial consultations which can get you started and there are plenty of free science-backed nutrition resources to support and guide you. When it comes to getting started in the kitchen, our Quick & Simplified Recipes ebook is a great place to start.

Ableism and Speciesism

There are many connections between ableism and speciesism—discrimination against disabled people and discrimination against non-human animals. Michele Kaplan sums it up beautifully when she writes: “Just as a disabled person, I don’t exist to be someone’s inspiration nor target of pity, animals do not exist to be our meals and clothing. This may not be the mainstream way of thinking, but as with all forms of oppression, just because someone decided that a particular demographic is inferior, doesn’t make it true, nor does it justify the oppression.”

And here, actor, vegan, and disability activist James Moore shares his story. It’s definitely worth a watch!