Canadian advocate for disability rights, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, aims to leverage her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing everyday facilities. Operating under the moniker Access by Tay, Lindsay-Noel shares insights on the accessibility of restaurants and businesses in Toronto through her online platform, with some of her videos garnering over a million views.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old initiated the creation of these videos to shed light on the obstacles encountered by individuals with disabilities when patronizing their preferred establishments. Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel advocates for the provision of accurate accessibility information by restaurants and businesses.
Originating from Toronto, Lindsay-Noel emphasizes that the city possesses the resources to foster a more inclusive environment. She underscores the arduous journey individuals with disabilities often undertake just to leave their homes. Lindsay-Noel highlights instances where establishments fail to offer online accessibility information, with challenges such as inaccessible washrooms and entryways serving as significant barriers.
Despite encountering obstacles, Lindsay-Noel indicates that most of the restaurants she reviewed proactively reached out to her, expressing their intentions to enhance accessibility. A former national gymnast, Lindsay-Noel faced a life-altering injury at the age of 14 that left her paralyzed from the chest down. This experience prompted her to redefine her identity beyond athletics and embrace new opportunities, including establishing her tea company.
Driven by her passion for advocacy, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered around American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The movie, directed and scripted by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is slated to kick off the Toronto International Film Festival. Lindsay-Noel secured a non-speaking role in the film, portraying one of the activists participating in the historic sit-in protest.
The protest, which lasted 28 days at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977, witnessed over 100 demonstrators, many of whom were disabled activists and allies, advocating for the enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Lindsay-Noel commends Heumann’s pivotal role in advancing disability rights, acknowledging the challenges faced during the protest due to the diverse needs of the participants.
Describing the opportunity to be part of “Being Heumann” as a unique experience, Lindsay-Noel expresses gratitude for the inclusive environment fostered by Heder on set. She lauds Heder’s inclusive approach and plans to attend the film’s premiere. Lindsay-Noel also confronts the issue of ableism, emphasizing the importance of candid discussions to combat discrimination against disabled individuals across various platforms.