Harm Reduction

An approach that prioritizes minimizing negative consequences of potentially risky behaviors rather than demanding complete abstinence or compliance with prescribed rules. In accessibility and disability contexts, harm reduction acknowledges that disabled people often face impossible choices between competing risks and make calculated trade-offs to preserve their safety, health, and access to essential resources. This framework respects the agency and expertise of disabled people in assessing their own situations and making decisions that outsiders might not fully understand.