For accessibility, here are the details regarding the Empower Your Voice Movement sliding scale, as detailed in the image above:
- BASIC NEEDS include food, housing, and transportation.
- EXPENDABLE INCOME might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies, or a concert, buy new clothes, and similar items each month, etc.
(Content based on the Sliding Scale image by Alexis J. Cunningfolk of wortsandcunning.com)
Column A of Sliding Scale
- I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs
- I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
- I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property
- I own or lease a car
- I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs
- I have regular access to health care
- I have access to financial savings
- I have an expendable** income
- I can always buy new items
- I can afford an annual vacation or take time off
Column B of Sliding Scale
- I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them
- I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
- I own or lease a car
- I am employed
- I have access to health care
- I might have access to financial savings
- I have some expendable income
- I am able to buy some new items & thrift others
- I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden
Column C of Sliding Scale
- I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them
- I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs
- I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing
- I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I ma not always able to afford gas
- I am unemployed or underemployed
- I qualify for government assistance including food stamps and health care
- I have no access to savings
- I have no or very limited expendable income
- I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them
- I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden