Canadian disability rights activist Taylor Lindsay-Noel is optimistic that her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” will help shed light on the persisting challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing everyday facilities. Known online as Access by Tay, Lindsay-Noel reviews the accessibility of eateries and establishments in Toronto through videos that have garnered over a million views. These reviews began post the COVID-19 outbreak to illustrate the obstacles encountered by people with disabilities when patronizing their favorite venues.
Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to accurately display their accessibility information. Highlighting her hometown of Toronto, she emphasizes the city’s potential for greater inclusivity. Lindsay-Noel stresses the significant effort required for individuals with disabilities just to venture outside their homes. She notes the lack of online accessibility information for some venues, citing issues like inaccessible restrooms and entryways as major hurdles she has faced.
Lindsay-Noel reveals that most of the establishments she critiqued reached out to her, expressing their commitment to enhancing accessibility. Following a gymnastics accident at age 14 that left her paralyzed from the chest down, Lindsay-Noel embarked on a journey of self-discovery outside her athletic identity. This led her to various endeavors, including launching her own tea company and advocating for disability rights.
Motivated by her passion for exploring life’s opportunities, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biopic centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is scheduled to kick off the Toronto International Film Festival. Lindsay-Noel’s portrayal in the movie as one of the protesters involved in a historic sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977 is described as a unique and memorable experience by the activist.
Lindsay-Noel commends Heder for creating an inclusive set environment and acknowledges the significance of honest conversations about ableism, a prevalent issue faced by disabled individuals. She believes that candid discussions are crucial in addressing disability-related challenges and fostering understanding and awareness.