Beyond the Basics: Uncovering the Real Cost of Living for People with Disabilities
When we talk about the cost of living, we tend to think about groceries, rent, or gas prices. But for many people with disabilities, these are only the beginning. Beneath the surface lies a long list of hidden expenses that quietly shape what it means to live independently — from home modifications to mobility equipment to navigating complex government funding rules.
In Whimble’s recent webinar, “The Cost of Living for People with Disabilities: Realities & Pathways to Change,” accessibility consultant, disability rights advocate, and music composer Gift Tshuma connected with Emma Brown, founder of Whimble, to unpack the true cost of accessibility — and why policy change must begin with lived experience.
The Hidden Costs Few Talk About
Gift Tshuma opened the discussion by redefining what “cost of living” truly means for people with disabilities. Beyond rising food and housing prices, many face ongoing expenses that are essential for basic independence — personal care services, therapies, assistive technologies, and accessibility modifications to homes or vehicles.
These costs can quickly add up. A simple wooden home ramp can cost around $10,000. When Gift lived in Quebec, his customized wheelchair could reach $18,000 or more. Now he has moved to Ontario, he faces annual repair bills of up to $15,000 for his wheelchair joystick.Costs may differ from province to province in Canada. For many, even stable employment cannot offset these additional financial pressures.
“You end up paying more just because you’re working,” Gift noted, highlighting how current systems often penalize independence.
When Policies Punish Independence
Behind these numbers are policy barriers that actively undermine financial stability. Many funding programs impose strict income thresholds, meaning that once a person’s income—and often their partner’s—crosses a set limit, they lose access to benefits that cover essential supports.
The result is a system that forces people with disabilities into impossible trade-offs: work fewer hours, avoid marriage or long-term partnerships, or give up critical services and hope to secure a much higher-paying role that can offset the sudden loss of funding. These structures are rooted in outdated assumptions about dependency, not equity.
“It’s about dignity and autonomy—the right to build a life without bureaucratic punishment,” Gift emphasized.
A more inclusive approach would move away from control-based models and toward interdependence, recognizing people with disabilities as equal contributors to society, not passive recipients of care.
Designing Policies With, Not For, People with Disabilities
When asked what authentic inclusion looks like, Gift pointed to Accessibility Standards Canada as a promising example — a government organization that actively consults with people with disabilities on national accessibility policies.
He stressed, however, that meaningful participation requires fair compensation. Too often, people are asked to share their personal expertise without pay or are offered small tokens such as gift cards.
“No other consultant would be asked to work for free,” Gift said. “People with disabilities bring expertise that deserves respect and compensation.”
Gift also encouraged grassroots advocacy and collaboration with established organizations to amplify collective influence and push for lasting policy reform.
Art as Advocacy: Building Accessible Creative Spaces
Gift’s advocacy also extends into the arts — another world where accessibility is too often an afterthought. As a music composer, he uses his platform to raise awareness about accessible music technology and inclusive performance spaces.
“I used to perform in venues where the building was accessible but the stage wasn’t,” he said. “That experience pushed me to broaden my advocacy — not just for audiences, but for artists, too.”
From designing inclusive recording software to rethinking the backstage environment, Gift’s work reminds us that accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators — it’s about ensuring that creativity and participation are open to everyone.
Reframing the Stigma Around Disability Benefits
Before closing the session, Emma raised a persistent myth — the idea that “everything is free” once someone receives disability benefits. Gift’s response was sharp and honest.
“The bare minimum is free,” he said. “Anything above that — living a full, vibrant life — isn’t.”
The reality, he explained, is that government support covers only the basics required to survive, not the resources needed to thrive. True equity means moving beyond survival — toward a system that values people’s dreams, relationships, and contributions.
Toward a More Inclusive Future
This conversation was more than an exploration of finances — it was a call to rethink how we define independence, fairness, and community. The hidden costs of disability are not just financial; they’re emotional and systemic, woven into the structures that decide who gets to live fully.
Change, as Gift reminded us, begins with listening — and then building with people with disabilities every step of the way.
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