Canadian disability rights advocate, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, is optimistic that her involvement in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann” will shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing everyday facilities. Known as Access by Tay on social media, Lindsay-Noel shares reviews on the accessibility of restaurants and businesses in Toronto, with some of her videos garnering over a million views.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old started creating videos to showcase the obstacles encountered by individuals with disabilities when visiting various establishments. Through her online content, Lindsay-Noel urges restaurants and businesses to provide accurate details about their accessibility features.
Hailing from Toronto, Lindsay-Noel emphasizes the city’s potential for greater inclusivity, highlighting the significant pre-work involved for individuals with disabilities just to step out of their homes. She points out the lack of online accessibility information for certain places, along with challenges like inaccessible restrooms and entryways as major barriers she has come across.
Lindsay-Noel notes that the majority of the restaurants she reviewed reached out to her with plans to enhance their accessibility features. A former national gymnast, Lindsay-Noel faced a life-altering spinal cord injury at the age of 14, prompting her to redefine her identity beyond athletics and venture into various endeavors, including establishing her own tea company.
Driven by her dedication to embracing life’s opportunities, Lindsay-Noel auditioned for “Being Heumann,” a biographical film centered on American disability rights activist Judith Heumann. Directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, the movie is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film delves into the historic 28-day sit-in protest led by Heumann in 1977 at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in San Francisco. Lindsay-Noel, portraying one of the protesters in a non-speaking role, describes the experience as a unique chance that left her feeling honored to be part of the production.
Lindsay-Noel appreciates the inclusive atmosphere fostered by Heder on set, drawing parallels to the director’s previous work on “CODA,” a film that earned critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations. Beyond her film involvement, Lindsay-Noel actively addresses ableism, emphasizing the importance of candid conversations to combat discrimination against individuals with disabilities.