Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel is hopeful that her involvement in the upcoming film “Being Heumann” will shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing various establishments. Known as Access by Tay online, Lindsay-Noel shares accessibility reviews of restaurants and businesses 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 people with disabilities encounter when frequenting their favorite places. Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges establishments to provide accurate details about their accessibility features.
Lindsay-Noel, a Toronto native, emphasizes the city’s potential for greater inclusivity, stating that the journey for individuals with disabilities often begins with the struggle to leave their homes. She points out the lack of online accessibility information for certain places, highlighting issues such as inaccessible restrooms and entryways as significant barriers she has faced.
In response to Lindsay-Noel’s reviews, many of the restaurants she assessed have reached out to her, expressing their intentions to enhance accessibility measures. A former national gymnast, Lindsay-Noel suffered a life-altering injury at the age of 14, breaking her neck during a gymnastics routine, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
Transitioning from her athletic identity, Lindsay-Noel embarked on various endeavors, including establishing her tea company, underscoring the importance of embracing new opportunities in life. Her pursuit of diverse experiences led her to audition for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann, slated to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Being Heumann,” directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, explores the events surrounding a pivotal 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977. The film highlights the demands of disabled activists and allies for the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Lindsay-Noel commends Heumann’s significant contribution to the disability rights movement, acknowledging the challenges faced during the protest. Reflecting on her involvement in the film, Lindsay-Noel describes it as a unique opportunity, portraying one of the protesters who participated in the sit-in.
She praises Heder’s inclusive approach on set, emphasizing the director’s ability to make every cast member feel valued, irrespective of the role’s size. Lindsay-Noel’s advocacy extends to addressing ableism, stressing the importance of honest conversations to combat prevalent biases against disabled individuals.