Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel is optimistic that her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” will shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when it comes to accessibility.
Known as Access by Tay online, Lindsay-Noel shares reviews about the accessibility of various establishments in Toronto, with some of her videos garnering over a million views. Her initiative began post the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to highlight the obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter while visiting public spaces.
Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to provide accurate information regarding their accessibility features. Raised in Toronto, she emphasizes the city’s potential for greater inclusivity.
Lindsay-Noel points out that many places fail to offer accessibility information online, with issues like inaccessible washrooms and entryways posing significant barriers. However, she notes that most of the restaurants she assessed have reached out to her, expressing intentions to enhance their accessibility.
At the age of 14, Lindsay-Noel, a former national gymnast, suffered a life-altering neck injury that left her paralyzed from the chest down. Determined to redefine her identity beyond athletics, she transitioned into various pursuits, including founding her own tea company.
Driven by her passion for disability rights advocacy, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for “Being Heumann,” a biographical film about American activist Judith Heumann. The movie, directed and penned by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film chronicles the gripping narrative of the 28-day sit-in protest led by Heumann at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco in 1977. Lindsay-Noel, portraying one of the demonstrators in the film, considers the experience a rare opportunity and holds Heder in high regard for her inclusive approach on set.
Acknowledging the significance of Heumann’s activism within the disability rights movement, Lindsay-Noel commends the perseverance exhibited during the protest, which demanded governmental adherence to disability rights regulations.
Reflecting on her involvement in the film, Lindsay-Noel underscores the importance of addressing ableism and promoting candid conversations on disability-related issues. She aims to leverage her platforms to advocate for greater understanding and inclusivity in society.