Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel aims to use her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” to 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 on the accessibility of various establishments in Toronto, with some of her videos garnering over a million views. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old began creating these videos to showcase the obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter while visiting their preferred venues.
Through her social media content, Lindsay-Noel advocates for restaurants and businesses to provide accurate details about their accessibility features. Despite being born and raised in Toronto, Lindsay-Noel believes that the city has the resources to be more inclusive.
Highlighting the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities, Lindsay-Noel points out that some places do not offer their accessibility information online, with issues like inaccessible washrooms and entryways posing significant barriers. However, she mentions that most of the restaurants she reviewed have reached out to her with plans to enhance their accessibility.
A former national gymnast, Lindsay-Noel’s life took a turn at the age of 14 when a neck injury sustained during a gymnastics routine left her paralyzed from the chest down. This experience prompted her to explore new identities and opportunities, leading her to engage in conversations about disability rights and eventually establish her own tea company.
Driven by her passion, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biopic centered around American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is slated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The movie depicts the historic 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco in 1977, where more than 100 demonstrators, including disabled activists and allies, demanded the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Lindsay-Noel emphasizes the significance of Heumann’s actions in advancing the disability rights movement, despite the challenges faced during the protest.
In a non-speaking role in the film, Lindsay-Noel portrays one of the protesters who participated in the sit-in. She describes the experience as a unique opportunity that made her feel privileged to be part of the project. Reflecting on her time on set with Heder, Lindsay-Noel praises the director for creating a welcoming environment for all cast members, regardless of the size of their roles.
As an advocate against ableism, Lindsay-Noel emphasizes the importance of honest conversations about disability issues, stating that transparency is crucial in addressing the prevalent biases faced by individuals with disabilities.