Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel, widely known as Access by Tay online, is set to make her mark in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann,” aiming to shed light on the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Lindsay-Noel, a 32-year-old from Toronto, has been actively sharing accessibility reviews of various restaurants and establishments in the city through her online platform. Her videos, some garnering over a million views, highlight the obstacles encountered by people with disabilities, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel advocates for businesses to provide accurate accessibility information, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in a city like Toronto that has the resources to be more accommodating.
Encountering issues like insufficient online accessibility details, inaccessible facilities such as washrooms and entryways, Lindsay-Noel has spurred positive responses from many of the venues she has critiqued, with several expressing commitments to enhance their accessibility features.
Having faced a life-altering injury at the age of 14 during her gymnastics career, Lindsay-Noel emphasizes the need to redefine oneself beyond physical limitations. Her journey from a national gymnast to a disability rights activist and entrepreneur reflects her unwavering determination to embrace new opportunities.
Driven by her passion for advocacy, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered around American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The movie, directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film portrays the historic 28-day sit-in protest led by Heumann in 1977, demanding the enforcement of regulations protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Lindsay-Noel emphasizes the significance of Heumann’s activism, acknowledging the challenges faced by disabled individuals in advocating for their needs and rights.
Having secured a non-speaking role in the film as one of the protesters during the sit-in, Lindsay-Noel describes the experience as a unique and memorable opportunity. She praises Heder’s inclusive approach on set, drawing parallels to the director’s past success with the film “CODA.”
Beyond her film involvement, Lindsay-Noel continues her advocacy against ableism, stressing the importance of candid conversations to address the prevalent issues faced by disabled individuals. By fostering open and understanding dialogues, she aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the disability community.