Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel is optimistic that her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” will shed light on the ongoing struggles with accessibility faced by many individuals with disabilities. Known as Access by Tay online, Lindsay-Noel shares reviews on the accessibility of restaurants and establishments in Toronto, with her videos garnering over a million views.
The 32-year-old initiated creating these videos during the pandemic to showcase the challenges individuals with disabilities encounter when frequenting their favorite places. Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to provide accurate details about their accessibility features.
Emphasizing the need for inclusivity, Lindsay-Noel, a Toronto native, believes the city has the potential to be more accommodating. She highlights the hurdles faced by individuals with disabilities, such as the lack of online accessibility information, inaccessible facilities like washrooms and entrance doors.
Following her reviews, Lindsay-Noel mentions that most of the establishments she assessed reached out to her, expressing their intentions to enhance their accessibility measures. Her dedication to advocating for disability rights led her to audition for the biopic “Being Heumann,” which portrays the story of American disability rights activist Judith Heumann, set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lindsay-Noel, a former national gymnast who became paralyzed after a gymnastics accident at 14, stresses the importance of exploring new opportunities and identities beyond sports. Her participation in “Being Heumann” as one of the protesters during a historic sit-in protest reflects a significant moment for her.
The film, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, delves into the struggles faced by disabled activists during a 28-day sit-in at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977. Lindsay-Noel commends the pivotal role played by Heumann in advancing the disability rights movement, despite the challenges encountered during the protest.
Describing her experience on set as a unique opportunity, Lindsay-Noel expresses her admiration for Heder’s inclusive approach towards all cast members, regardless of the size of their roles. She stresses the prevalence of ableism in society and the importance of honest conversations to address and counteract such biases.
Lindsay-Noel’s involvement in “Being Heumann” not only showcases her commitment to advocating for disability rights but also highlights the significance of representation and inclusivity in the film industry.
