Taylor Lindsay-Noel, a Canadian advocate for disability rights, is optimistic that her minor appearance in the forthcoming film Being Heumann will help shed light on her mission — highlighting the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by many individuals with disabilities.
Known online as Access by Tay, Lindsay-Noel shares reviews focused on the accessibility of various restaurants and businesses throughout Toronto, with some of her videos garnering over a million views.
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 32-year-old began creating these videos to illustrate the obstacles that people with disabilities can encounter when trying to visit their favorite establishments.
Lindsay-Noel uses her social media presence to urge businesses to supply accurate details about their accessibility features.
Having grown up in Toronto, Lindsay-Noel believes the city has the potential to become more inclusive.
“Often, the story of someone with a disability starts long before they leave their home,” she remarked.
She pointed out that many venues fail to provide online information regarding their accessibility, with inaccessible restrooms and even front doors being among the most significant challenges she has faced.
According to Lindsay-Noel, most of the restaurants she evaluated reached out to her with plans for enhancements.
Directed and written by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, Being Heumann tells the story of one of the key organizers of a historic 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in San Francisco in 1977. (TIFF, Apple, Michael Gibson/The Canadian Press)
At the age of 14, the former national gymnast suffered a neck injury while attempting a move on the uneven bars, which left her paralyzed from the chest down.
“I had to redefine my identity beyond being an athlete and commit to a new life that I could never have envisioned for myself,” Lindsay-Noel shared.
From engaging in discussions about disability rights to establishing her own tea business, Lindsay-Noel has embraced all that life offers.
Her enthusiasm inspired her to audition for Being Heumann, a biopic centered on the life of American disability rights pioneer Judith Heumann. The film is slated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday.
-
Holding Space
Buying Canadian at TIFF? Here are the homegrown options we’re most excited for
-
‘Not a people’s festival any longer’: TIFF fans grapple with higher ticket costs
Being Heumann, helmed by Academy Award winner Sian Heder, focuses on one of the key figures in a pivotal 28-day sit-in protest at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in San Francisco during 1977. The character is portrayed by Ruth Madeley, known for her role in Doctor Who, alongside a supporting cast that features Mark Ruffalo and Dylan O’Brien.
Over 100 protestors, many of whom were disabled activists and their allies, occupied the federal building for nearly a month, enduring severe shortages of food and basic supplies. They demanded that the U.S. government enact and enforce regulations to uphold Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which safeguards the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Lindsay-Noel emphasized the significance of Heumann’s actions to the broader disability rights movement, despite the challenges faced.
“We are individuals who rely on support. We have specific needs, including nurses, caregivers, and necessary supplies. So, to maintain a presence in a building for such an extended period, with backing from the Black Panthers and the LGBTQ community, was a monumental feat.”
A Unique Opportunity
In the film, Lindsay-Noel plays a non-speaking role as one of the protesters who remained during the sit-in. She described this experience as a rare opportunity that made her feel honored to participate.
The activist expressed her enjoyment of every moment spent on set with Heder, who also directed CODA, a touching comedy-drama about a teenager with deaf parents. That film achieved three Oscars, including best picture, best adapted screenplay, and best supporting actor for Troy Kotsur.
Heder, according to Lindsay-Noel, “ensured everyone felt valued, regardless of the size of their role.” She plans to be present at the film’s premiere.
The advocate has also addressed the issue of ableism, which she describes as a pervasive problem that individuals with disabilities often encounter. She holds the view that transparency is essential.
“If I can engage in an honest conversation that is also empathetic, I believe that’s where I find the ideal balance, not just in my reviews but in my overall discussion about disability across my platforms.”