Canadian disability advocate Taylor Lindsay-Noel, known online as Access by Tay, is set to appear in the upcoming movie “Being Heumann,” aiming to shed light on the ongoing challenges of accessibility faced by individuals with disabilities. Lindsay-Noel, a Toronto native, produces reviews on the accessibility of establishments in the city, garnering millions of views on her videos.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old began creating content to showcase the obstacles encountered by people with disabilities when frequenting their preferred venues. Through her social media presence, Lindsay-Noel advocates for businesses to provide accurate details regarding their accessibility features.
She noted that numerous establishments fail to share their accessibility information online, highlighting issues such as inaccessible restrooms and entryways as significant barriers. Lindsay-Noel mentioned that many of the restaurants she reviewed reached out to her, expressing their commitment to enhancing accessibility.
Having transitioned from being a national gymnast to an entrepreneur after a life-changing injury at the age of 14, Lindsay-Noel’s journey led her to audition for a role in “Being Heumann,” a biopic centered on disability rights activist Judith Heumann. The film, directed and written by Sian Heder, is scheduled to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lindsay-Noel emphasized the importance of Heumann’s contributions to the disability rights movement, acknowledging the challenges faced during the historic 28-day sit-in protest in 1977. Lindsay-Noel, who plays a protester in the movie, described the experience as unique and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
She praised Heder for her inclusive approach on set and highlighted the significance of addressing ableism, underscoring the necessity of candid conversations to foster understanding around disability issues. Lindsay-Noel looks forward to attending the film premiere and continuing her advocacy through various platforms.