Monthly Reading List: Straw Ban Edition

This month, I am sharing articles about the movement to ban plastic straws, and the impact on disabled people who rely on plastic straws to be able to drink safely. But instead of carefully curating my “favorite” pieces, I decided to ask Google. I was curious to find out which articles come up first when you type in “straw ban disability.” So here are the top 8 articles, in exactly the order presented. They are all fairly good and comprehensive. I also find it interesting that the 8th item is from an apparent environmentalist publication, and it appears they at least know and are willing to report the main outlines of the problem.

1.  Why People With Disabilities Want Bans On Plastic Straws To Be More Flexible
Maria Godoy, NPR Morning Edition - July 11, 2018

2.  Plastic straw bans are the latest policy to forget the disability community
Karin Hitselberger, Washington Post - July 12, 2018

3.  4 things we learned about plastic straw bans from people with disabilities
Soraya Ferdman. Mashable - July 16, 2018

4.  Banning straws might be a win for environmentalists. But it ignores us disabled people
s.e. smith, Vox - July 19, 2018

5.  Why banning plastic straws upsets people with disabilities
Ayana Archie and Dalila-Johari Paul, CNN - July 11, 2018

6.  Disability rights groups voice issues with Starbucks’ plastic straw ban as company responds
Molly Enking, PBS NewsHour - July 18, 2018

7.  'Disabled People Are Not Part of the Conversation.' Advocates Speak Out Against Plastic Straw Bans
Gina Martinez, Time - July 12, 2018

8.  Plastic Straw Bans Have Unintended Consequences for People with Disabilities
Olivia Rosane, EcoWatch - July 17, 2018

Honestly, I think the most aggravating part of this whole topic isn’t the articles like these … even when they’re not perfect or complete. The real garbage comes in the comment sections. Come to think of it, comment sections are usually the worst parts of just about all internet-based disability discussions.