Straw Bans and Accessibility

During the past few months, plastic straw bans have been in the news, as they have passed in several cities.

Disabled people have been almost wholly ignored in the discussions and debates about the environment and what we should do to reduce our impact on our earth. But since many disabilities necessitate the use of plastic straws, we should be listening to what disabled people have to say about these bans.

Please read through the resources section with an open mind.

Resources

For Many With Disabilities, Plastic Straws are Essential not Frivolous
//One word to you, just one word … inclusion … There’s a great future in inclusion.//

How Will a Ban on Plastic Straws Affect You?
//“The anti-plastic straw debate has enraged me because it has been one-sided,” said the United Kingdom’s Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who has spina bifida, to the BBC. “No one has consulted disabled people. A significant number of us rely on the humble plastic straw to be able to drink a glass of water, wine or a cup of coffee.”//

Think Wisely About the Plastic Straw Ban - We May Need a Compromise
//We need to consider people first.//

The ban on plastic straws is great... unless you have a disability
//...many have still voiced concern over the position disabled people may be in if they have to defend the necessity of a plastic straw every time they eat in public, especially due to the lack of education surrounding the issue.//

The great pacific garbage patch is mostly abandoned fishing material.