Feedists for Fat Liberation held a mutual aid hangout where discussion revolved around accessible seating for fat people. Here are the highlights!

What to look for in accessible seating:

  • Sturdy
  • No restricting arms
  • Not attached or permanently fixed (e.g., booths, picnic tables, school desks)
  • Not too low
  • Not too tall
  • Not too squishy

Be your own best advocate!

  • Research before arriving: Look at images online of the restaurant or venue to see if you can be comfortable there
  • Ask for accommodation in person: Example – If you arrive at a restaurant and there are only seats with arms or fixed booths, ask if they have a chair without arms available
  • Call ahead to request accommodation: Example – At the Seattle Ballet, I got a chair without arms and sat near the wheelchair accessible areas

FFL is not affiliated with any company. The following are recommendations from superfat people.

Jessica’s recommendations:
A sturdy and comfy chair I use in my house as a computer chair or dining chair: Ozark Trail XXL Folding Padded Director Chair with Side Table, 600 lb Capacity https://www.amazon.com/Ozark-Folding-Padded-Director-Capacity/dp/B07WC69KKX

A sturdy chair I use for a dining chair or chair in my kitchen while I am cooking or doing dishes: Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Trapezoidal Back Stacking Banquet Chair in Black Vinyl – Black Frame https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K7DKGU
Flash Furniture HERCULES Series has a number of 500 lb to 1000 lb capacity chairs that are basic dining chairs or church hall chairs

Sturdy couches
Home Reserve
Extremely sturdy 2000lb capacity
https://www.homereserve.com/

Expensive but Home Reserve 10 year warranty replaces broken parts easily

Computer chairs from internet searching:
Husky Office
https://www.huskyoffice.com/
Lots of selection for up to 500 lb capacity but only a few Concept Seating options for 550-800 lbs but cost from $2000 to $6000

Tips and lists from around the internet:
From Fat Lip Podcast’s blog http://thefatlip.com/2019/11/09/27-sturdy-chairs-for-fat-people/
From Lindley Ashline’s blog: https://bodyliberationphotos.com/2020/07/21/11-high-weight-limit-chairs-for-fat-folks-and-their-hosts/
From the Big Fat Gay Podcast https://www.bigfatgaypod.com/resources#FFF
From Marielle Elizabeth Body Positive Writing + Photography exploring Slow Fashion Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/can-i-sit-here-52798132

Helpful humor
Nightmare chair instagram https://www.instagram.com/nightmare_chair/
Libbie Higgins
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIzvj-tDCas/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJosvkXj1bK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Patio Chairs
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClrMk12jm6a/?igshid=N2ZiY2E3YmU=