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 in accessing public spaces. Known as Access by Tay online, Lindsay-Noel creates content reviewing the accessibility of restaurants and businesses in Toronto, some of which have garnered over a million views.
The 32-year-old began producing these videos post the COVID-19 outbreak, showcasing the obstacles people with disabilities encounter when patronizing their favorite establishments. Through her social media platforms, Lindsay-Noel urges businesses to provide accurate accessibility information, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
Raised in Toronto, Lindsay-Noel believes the city has the resources to enhance its inclusivity. She highlights the struggle individuals with disabilities face just to leave their homes, with inadequate online accessibility information, inaccessible facilities like washrooms and entryways posing significant barriers.
Lindsay-Noel reveals that after reviewing various restaurants, most establishments have reached out to her, expressing their commitment to improving accessibility. Her journey as a former national gymnast turned disability rights advocate has led her to a pivotal role in “Being Heumann,” a biopic centered on American activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In the movie, Lindsay-Noel portrays one of the demonstrators participating in a historic 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco in 1977. The protest aimed to enforce regulations protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Reflecting on her experience, Lindsay-Noel describes her role in the film as a unique opportunity that made her feel valued. She praises the director, Heder, known for her work on “CODA,” for creating an inclusive environment on set. Lindsay-Noel also speaks out against ableism, emphasizing the importance of honest conversations to address societal misconceptions about disabilities.
