Growing up, I didn't see a lot of media including people with disabilities. I spent a lot of my Friday nights in high school diving into the captivating worlds of my favorite TV shows, movies, and YouTube channels. However, looking back on this, it strikes me how absent representation of people with disabilities was in those narratives. Amidst the laughter, drama, and love stories, there was a glaring void – a void where I never found myself reflected as a friend, a family member, main character, or daring love interest.

12/18/2023 12:00:00 AM

As I grew older and the World Wide Web became much easier to access, I began my search for all the books focusing on characters with a disability that I could get my hands on. In fact, I even wrote one myself, so that no other kid in a wheelchair would ever have to grow up not seeing themselves represented in a storybook character. Here is a list of seven children's books that have a main character with a disability.

8/15/2023 12:00:00 AM

If you've ever considered being a little more adventurous but just weren't sure what options you may have as a wheelchair user, the following ideas are just for you. So buckle your seatbelt and get those wheels ready, because you are in for the time of your life!

2/28/2022 12:00:00 AM

Spend some of your self-isolation time watching these movies, all available on a streaming service, and maybe even take some time to plan out your next vacation. That way, when you're available and restrictions have been reduced, you're ready to book the reservations and are quickly on your way to a dream vacation.

6/16/2020 12:00:00 AM

In today's media industry, diversity and inclusion are hot topics, but unfortunately, disability representation is still largely forgotten when it comes to Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. While disability increasingly features in the plots of up-and-coming new films, able-bodied actors are disproportionately cast to play these roles. Entertainment has a long way to go in the fight for positive disability representation and inclusion of actors with lived experiences of disability.

12/17/2019 12:00:00 AM

Shortly after I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair NY in 2013, my family, friends, and I wanted to celebrate my new title by doing something fun together. I searched for an activity that all of us could take part in and came across adaptive zip-lining close to home. Orenda Springs is an organization in Marcellus, NY that provides different individual and group team-building activities such as ropes courses, adaptive zip-lining, horseback riding, skiing, yoga, and camping.

7/23/2019 12:00:00 AM

As an active long time wheelchair user, I am always on the prowl for fun, non-traditional adaptive activities to take part in around the community. Naturally, when I saw that a new axe throwing business was opening close to me, I jumped on the opportunity to participate in their opening weekend festivities. With our crazy busy lives, my husband and I try to make sure that we go on a date night at least once a week and this seemed like the perfect night out. We recruited a few friends who were skeptical (but excited!) to try Bad Axe Throwing with us.

5/7/2019 12:00:00 AM

Throughout the history of literature, authors have thought up characters based on their personal experiences or of others they have known, creating unique personalities that take on a life of their own. These eight books that deal with disability are examples of just that.

4/10/2018 12:00:00 AM

How have films influenced public perception of the disabled community? The truth is, people with disabilities have been vastly underrepresented in film. We know that the movie industry has shied away from the topic on the whole: while nearly 20% of the U.S. population has a disability, the proportion of disabled characters in movies is estimated to be only around 1%. We also know that virtually all roles of characters with disabilities are played by able-bodied actors.

1/2/2018 12:00:00 AM