Canadian disability advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel, also known as Access by Tay, aims to use her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” to shed light on the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Lindsay-Noel, a prominent figure in Toronto, produces online reviews highlighting the accessibility features of various establishments in the city, garnering millions of views.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old started creating videos to showcase the obstacles encountered by people with disabilities when visiting public places. Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel advocates for businesses and restaurants to provide accurate details about their accessibility status, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in Toronto.
Encountering barriers like inaccessible washrooms and entryways, Lindsay-Noel stresses the necessity for establishments to enhance their accessibility information. Notably, the majority of the venues she reviewed have reached out to her with plans for improvement after her feedback.
Having suffered a life-changing injury at the age of 14 during her gymnastics career, Lindsay-Noel shifted her focus to advocating for disability rights and even ventured into entrepreneurship by launching her tea company. Her passion for creating positive change led her to audition for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Acknowledging the significance of Heumann’s contributions to the disability rights movement, Lindsay-Noel commends the challenges faced by activists during the historic sit-in protest in 1977. Lindsay-Noel herself had a role in the film as one of the protesters, describing the experience as a unique and memorable opportunity.
Furthermore, Lindsay-Noel has been vocal about addressing ableism, emphasizing the importance of open and honest conversations about disability. She applauds filmmaker Sian Heder for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment on set, reflecting on her positive experience working on the film.
