Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel is looking forward to her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” as a way to amplify the importance of accessibility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities on a daily basis.
Known as Access by Tay online, Lindsay-Noel shares reviews of the accessibility status of restaurants and businesses in Toronto, with some of her videos garnering over a million views. She started creating these videos during the COVID-19 pandemic to shed light on the obstacles that people with disabilities encounter when visiting various establishments.
Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to provide accurate information about their accessibility features. She emphasizes that Toronto, where she was born and raised, has the resources to become more inclusive.
Highlighting the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities, Lindsay-Noel points out that some places lack online accessibility information, and issues like inaccessible washrooms and doors pose significant barriers. However, she notes that many of the restaurants she has reviewed have reached out to her with plans to enhance their accessibility.
Lindsay-Noel, a former national gymnast who became paralyzed from the chest down after a gymnastics accident at age 14, has since broadened her horizons beyond sports. From advocating for disability rights to establishing her own tea company, she has seized various opportunities that life has presented to her.
Her passion for advocating for disability rights led her to audition for “Being Heumann,” a film centered around American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The movie, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film portrays a historic 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977, where disabled activists and allies demanded the enforcement of regulations protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Lindsay-Noel commends Heumann’s role in the disability rights movement, emphasizing the challenges faced during the protest.
Lindsay-Noel had a silent role in the film as one of the protesters during the sit-in, an experience she describes as a unique opportunity that made her feel valued. She praises the inclusive atmosphere created by Heder on set, drawing parallels to Heder’s previous work on “CODA,” a film that received critical acclaim.
In addition to her film involvement, Lindsay-Noel has been vocal about combating ableism, a prevalent issue faced by individuals with disabilities. She advocates for honest conversations and understanding to address ableism effectively and promote inclusivity.
