Why Should Access Depend on Someone Having to Ask?
For many organizations, accessibility begins with a familiar statement: If you need an accommodation, please let us know. We see some version of this language everywhere. It appears on school forms, event registrations, conference materials, business websites, church announcements, employment documents, and community programs. The statement is usually well-intentioned. It communicates a willingness to respond […]
Summer Accessibility Matters Too
Summer is often described as carefree. School is out, vacations begin, pools open, and social media fills with photos of beach trips, camps, amusement parks, and family outings. For many people, summer feels lighter and more relaxed. But for many disabled individuals and their families, summer can also highlight just how inaccessible many community spaces […]
What Accessibility Really Looks Like in Schools
When most people hear the word accessibility in schools, they usually think about ramps, elevators, handicapped parking spaces, and automatic doors. Those things absolutely matter. Physical access matters. But accessibility in education reaches far beyond getting students through the front doors of a building. A student can physically enter a classroom every single day and […]
Caregiver Mental Health Matters Too
Mental Health Awareness Month often focuses on anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional regulation, and access to care. While these conversations are important, one group continues to be left out far too often — caregivers. As a parent, advocate, educator, and accessibility consultant, I know firsthand that caregiving is layered. It is emotional. It is physical. It […]
When Communication Barriers Impact Mental Health
Communication impacts every part of daily life. It impacts relationships, safety, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, education, healthcare, independence, and connection. Yet when conversations surrounding mental health take place, communication access is often overlooked. As an assistive technology and accessibility consultant, I regularly see the direct connection between communication barriers and emotional well-being. For many disabled individuals, […]