165: Advocating for Accessible Spaces with Diana Dimmock

Thrive Beyond Size

Hello friends! I am so excited to share this week’s episode with you. I interviewed the amazing Diana Dimmock, founder of Accessibility 4 Every Body, who I found in a Facebook group when I asked if anyone would be willing to share their stories of experiencing anti-fat bias or weight discrimination in healthcare. Diana wasn’t only willing, she was so articulate and had so many important points to make and such a strength for advocacy, that I knew I had to have her on the podcast right away. Diana shares personal experiences and also advice on how to advocate for yourself when navigating daily life.

Diana is a consultant who works with people with disabilities and people who live in larger bodies to assist them in learning to advocate for themselves with businesses, governmental agencies, and public spaces. Diana says she takes her life experience as a fat person and her own honed ability to advocate for herself and applies that to other people. We share stories about times when we’ve come up against fat bias or weight discrimination. Diana also shares how advocacy can affect change by relating a story about a business that changed everything to accommodate bigger bodies due to a comment she made. One very important aspect of what we discussed was how to learn to advocate for ourselves, even when it’s hard, even when we’re afraid of being shamed. Diana shared a list of how to prepare and assess your readiness for advocacy, and things to evaluate: 1. Awareness, 2. Get curious, 3. Look at the best options, 4. Capacity, and 5. Follow up. Our conversation is vulnerable but hopeful, full of lived experience and a determination not to be silenced on what we need. Perhaps Diana said it best when she said “Our bodies are not a problem to be fixed.”

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About Diana Dimmock:

Diana Dimmock is the founder of Accessibility 4 Every Body, a consulting service dedicated to educating and advocating for individuals with disabilities as well as promoting inclusivity for people of all body sizes. Accessibility 4 Every Body provides educational resources that raise public awareness and empower individuals to effectively articulate their concerns regarding the inclusion of larger bodies within businesses and regulatory agencies.

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Resources discussed in this episode:

• Bare Affair Waxing in Sherwood Park, Alberta

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Learn more about Diana Dimmock:

• LinkedIn: Diana D
• Facebook: Accessibility 4 Every Body

Learn more about Dr. Michelle Tubman and Wayza Health:

• Website: www.wayzahealth.com
• Follow me on Facebook and Instagram
• Email Michelle: [e-mail]