Cumulative Marginality

The compounding effect of multiple marginalizing factors—such as disability, low income, first-generation student status, racial minority status, or caregiving responsibilities—that together create greater barriers than any single factor alone. Research shows that students experiencing cumulative marginality face significantly higher stress, depression, and anxiety. In accessibility work, this concept highlights why addressing a single impairment or barrier may be insufficient; effective accessibility must consider the whole person and their intersecting circumstances.