Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel, also known online as Access by Tay, is set to appear in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” to further highlight the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing various establishments.
The 32-year-old Lindsay-Noel started creating videos reviewing the accessibility of restaurants and businesses in Toronto post-COVID-19. Some of her video content has garnered over a million views, shedding light on the obstacles individuals with disabilities encounter when frequenting their favorite places.
Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges businesses to provide accurate and comprehensive information regarding their accessibility features. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices and accessibility awareness, particularly in a city like Toronto, which she believes has the resources to be more accommodating.
Encountering barriers such as lack of online accessibility information, inaccessible facilities like washrooms and entryways, Lindsay-Noel has worked intensively to advocate for improved accessibility standards. Following her reviews, many of the establishments she critiqued have reached out with plans to enhance their accessibility measures.
Lindsay-Noel’s journey as a former national gymnast, who sustained a life-altering injury at 14 resulting in paralysis from the chest down, has been a testament to resilience and adaptation. Transitioning from a gymnastics career to entrepreneurship with her tea company, Lindsay-Noel has embraced new opportunities and experiences.
Part of her recent endeavors includes auditioning for “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The movie portrays the historic 28-day sit-in protest organized by Heumann at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977. Lindsay-Noel’s involvement in the film as one of the demonstrators during the protest represents a unique and significant opportunity, reflecting her commitment to advocating for disability rights.
Lindsay-Noel has been vocal about challenging ableism and promoting honest discussions around disabilities. She believes in fostering open and understanding dialogues to address prevalent issues faced by individuals with disabilities, aiming to create a more inclusive and accessible society.
Her participation in “Being Heumann” signifies a pivotal moment in her advocacy journey, aligning with her mission to raise awareness and drive positive change for individuals with disabilities.