Canadian disability rights advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel, also known as Access by Tay online, is set to play a minor role in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann.” Lindsay-Noel’s aim is to shed light on the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lindsay-Noel started creating videos where she reviews the accessibility of various establishments in Toronto. Some of her videos have garnered over a million views, highlighting the importance of addressing accessibility issues.
Emphasizing the need for accurate accessibility information from restaurants and businesses, Lindsay-Noel, a Toronto native, firmly believes that the city has the potential to be more inclusive.
Encountering barriers like inaccessible washrooms and entryways, Lindsay-Noel stresses the significance of businesses providing detailed accessibility information online. Many of the restaurants she assessed have reached out to her with plans for improvement.
Having transitioned from a national gymnast to an entrepreneur after a life-altering injury at 14, Lindsay-Noel’s journey led her to audition for “Being Heumann,” a biopic centered on activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Sian Heder, is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lindsay-Noel, who had a non-speaking role in the film as one of the protesters during a historic sit-in, described the experience as a unique opportunity. She commended Heder for creating an inclusive environment on set, echoing her commitment to addressing ableism and promoting honest conversations about disability.
The film portrays the 28-day sit-in protest in 1977 at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, led by activists advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Lindsay-Noel recognizes the significance of Heumann’s activism and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in fighting for their rights.