Canadian advocate for disability rights, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, is hopeful that her participation in the upcoming movie Being Heumann will shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing basic facilities.
Known as Access by Tay on social media, Lindsay-Noel reviews the accessibility of establishments in Toronto, garnering over a million views on some of her videos.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old began creating these videos to showcase the obstacles individuals with disabilities encounter while visiting various places.
Through her online content, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to provide accurate information about their accessibility features.
Despite being born and raised in Toronto, Lindsay-Noel emphasizes that the city has the resources to become more inclusive.
She highlights that for individuals with disabilities, even simple outings can involve significant preparation due to the lack of accessibility information provided by some establishments, along with challenges like inaccessible restrooms and entryways.
Lindsay-Noel mentions that most of the restaurants she reviewed reached out to her, expressing their commitment to making improvements.
Lindsay-Noel, a former national gymnast, suffered a life-altering injury at the age of 14 when she broke her neck attempting a gymnastics move, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
Recalling her journey post-injury, Lindsay-Noel had to redefine herself beyond her identity as an athlete, ultimately embracing a new and unexpected path in life.
From advocating for disability rights to establishing and managing her tea business, Lindsay-Noel has embraced every opportunity that life has presented to her.
Fueled by her passion, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for a role in Being Heumann, a biographical film centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The movie is scheduled to kick off the Toronto International Film Festival.
-
Holding Space
Exploring Canadian Film Offerings at TIFF
-
TIFF Fans Weigh in on Ticket Price Increases
Being Heumann, helmed by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, delves into the story of a pivotal figure in a historic protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1977. Ruth Madeley portrays the lead role, with Mark Ruffalo and Dylan O’Brien in supporting roles.
<