http://www.thinkbeyondaccess.com/

Think Beyond Access, 900 Pembroke St E, Pembroke, ON (2026)

02/21/2022

Organizations offering s*xual education and healthcare professionals: this one is for you!

There is an evident misrepresentation portraying disabled persons as non-s*xual beings and this is reflected in how they are being perceived by healthcare professionals and within s*xual education.

One of the ways in which we aim to challenge dominant narratives about disability experiences is offer services that specifically address the gaps that prevail in discussions about disability and s*xuality.

Our workshop ‘Homogeneity in disability communities: Where is the intersectionality?’ allows us to generate a space to explore these misrepresentations and facilitate discussions about disability and queerness. It is the first one in our series on s*xuality.

Here is a sneak peak.

To request an information sheet, send us a request through our website. Link in bio.

02/17/2022

I remember the first presentation I delivered to an organization.

I was completing my last placement as a social service worker student and I was asked by a director to present on my experience as a person with Cerebral Palsy.

It felt empowering to share my experiences – to be offered a platform to propose best practices for working with disabled persons.

It was then my passion to shift dominant rethorics was ignited.
That my passion for education became concretized.

That I set goals for my future as an accessibility and disability consultant.

A decade later and I have a consulting business in my name.

One that allows me to generate awareness about accessibility and disability.

To collaborate with businesses, corporations, private entities, and the travel industry to foster inclusive spaces for disabled persons.

To reinforce the importance of intersectional thinking.

To enact change with my learned knowledge and lived experiences.

A decade later – and I am living my dream.

02/14/2022

No, 'crip' isn’t a slur.

Nor can it only be used in an academic setting.

Crip is so much more than that.

The term 'crip' still has a negative connotation for many folx, perhaps particularly for individuals without any lived experiences pertaining to disability.

Crip, derived from ‘cripple’, was once pejorative. To some extent, it still remains an ableist slur if it’s not applied appropriately. And boundaries must be respected.

This discourse still prevails in today’s society because too often crip is used in negative ways.

To cause discomfort.
To reinforce misconceptions.
To exert ableism and privilege.

Let’s consider shifting this rhetoric.

Crip is also such a beautiful and reaffirming term for many disability communities.

During the early stages of the disability movement, disabled persons reclaimed the term ‘crip’ and since then it’s part of our identity.

Crip creates belonging.
Crip creates community.
Crip creates pride.

Crip is an identity, a way of life.

02/11/2022

Accessibility features should take precedence over everything else when creating and presenting slide decks – whether they be for academic conferences or team meetings in community organizations.

Creating an accessible slide deck does not need to be an onerous task. It is actually quite simple. And templates can be made for future use.

Here are nine suggestions that can help create a first iteration of accessible slide decks.

They are part of our Accessibility Checklist for Virtual Conferences. Interested in receiving this checklist? Contact us at [email protected]

02/09/2022

It is still mind boggling that disabled persons’ intersectional narratives and voices too often remain absent in curriculum and pedagogy.

Our Lead Consultant is currently pursuing doctoral studies – and even in higher education there is minimal representation of disabled persons in the content delivered within her courses and seminars.

There are tons of texts readily available to instructors/teachers in the realms of disability – but we believe a gap of understanding prevails.

As to WHY such inclusion is important.
As to HOW such inclusion is achieved.

As to WHERE these texts ought to be in curriculum and pedagogy that is not located within critical disability studies/disability studies.

Including aspects of disability culture and history should be deemed essential, just as the inclusion of other equity-seeking communities in curriculum and pedagogy.

Disabled narratives must be incorporated into every aspect of curriculum, even though discussions do not exclusively pertain to disability.

And yes, such a task may seem daunting at first – but these challenges should not reduce the necessity of inclusive curriculum and pedagogy,

There are ways to weave intersectional topics pertaining to disability into lectures and lessons without needing to entirely shift existing pedagogy.

Let’s collaborate together to ensure intersectional disability narratives are included in education.

02/07/2022

Do accessibility, disability, and s*xuality intersect with one another?

Absolutely.

Does intimacy and s*xuality of disabled persons pertain to business owners, corporations, public entities, and the travel industry?

Very much so.

All s*x is s*x.

Intimacy and s*xuality are access needs for disabled persons that are often left unaddressed by healthcare professionals – attendants, doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, etc.

Despite strides in some realms, disabled persons remain depicted as non-s*xual and thus do not receive s*xual education and services that are readily accessible to their non-disabled counterparts.

Disabled persons are often barred from s*xual citizenship and wrongly portrayed in media – which in turn is reflected in the lack of resources tailored to them.

All individuals have the right to be engaged in discussions about s*x, be informed about s*x, and participate in decision- and policy-making in relations to intimacy and s*xuality.

All s*x is s*x.

Yes.
But this is often difficult to consider when systems and tools are not in place to best support intimate and s*xual desires of disabled persons.

We must unlearn.
We must create pedagogy that is both inclusive to disabled persons and intersectional in nature.
We must disseminate accurate knowledge about the s*xualities of disabled persons.

We must disrupt the ways in which ableism and heteronormativity are compounded together by healthcare professionals.

Include voices of disabled persons.
Challenge normative narratives.
Ask us how – link in bio.

01/21/2022

The reasons to engage with, and ultimately hire, accessibility and disability consultants are endless.

Although we cannot represent the experiences and narratives of all disabled persons, we can offer insight about crip culture and crip knowledge.

Working with consultants provide businesses, corporations, organizations, private entities, and the travel industry opportunities to learn from our expertise and insights, recognize homogenous and normative experiences of disability, and challenge how disability narratives are disseminated.

Consult our website for more information – thinkbeyondaccess.com
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Image Description:
Image #1 - Graphic with light grey text ’Why seek assistance from accessibility and disability consultants’ is displayed on a background with faded image of Chloée typing on laptop.
Image #2 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We help you gain further knowledge about accessibility and disability to better serve the diverse and intersectional needs of disabled persons.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.
Image #3 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We provide environmental audits so that physical spaces become more inclusive for all individuals and furthering the active and meaningful participants of disabled persons.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.
Image #4 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We assess existing knowledge in teams and then create workshops to generate spaces of new understanding about accessibility, disability, and intersectionality.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.
Image #5 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We generate brave spaces to allow discussions about accessibility, disability, and intersectionality that may not be addressed otherwise.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.
Image #6 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We offer glimpses of lived experiences in presentations to concretize different types of barriers and explain the multiple repercussions of non-accessible and non-inclusive spaces.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.
Image #7 - Graphic with light grey text ‘We generate brave spaces to allow discussions about accessibility, disability, and intersectionality that may not be addressed otherwise.’ displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.

01/19/2022

I once visited two rooms at the same hotel because I wanted to understand the difference between an accessible option and a non-accessible option – and was surprised by the results.

Both rooms were the same size and the layout was fairly similar. The primary difference was located in the washrooms.

Although a walk-in shower was available in both washrooms, one had a small step while the other did not.

It was then that I started reflecting on the differentiation between rooms.

Why did that differentiation exist?
Why was that small step necessary in most showers?

It would have been quite simple to ensure the accessibility of each room had that step not been included in the design.

Only a few rooms were labeled as accessible – but, in reality, that specific hotel could have offered more space for disabled travellers and others requesting these rooms.

All travellers can benefit from accessibility, so why must there always be a distinction in hotel rooms between accessible and non-accessible options?
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Image Description:
Grey toned image of Chloée, a white settler, with only her back and legs portrayed. She is lifting her left leg over a step in the shower while her right foot is firm on the ground. Chloée is wearing a patterned shirt, jeans, and Blundstone boots.

01/17/2022

Accessibility and disability work cannot be started without understanding what ableism is and its prevalence in the lives of disabled persons.

The term ‘ableism’ emerged in the 1960’s, but the way to define and contextualize it has shifted since then.

In 2021, Talila Lewis released an updated version of ableism to include how it intersects with other systems of oppression – capitalism, colonialism, heteros*xism (just to name a few).

The narratives of disabled persons are not monolithic, and thus accessibility and inclusivity policies/practices must respond to other challenges experienced by these individuals.
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Image Description:
Graphic with light grey text ‘Ableism is a system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normality, intelligence, excellence, desirability, and productivity. - Talila A. Lewis’ is displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.

*xism

01/14/2022

Allyship is not automatic.
It must be earned by concrete and tangible actions that best support disabled persons.

Allyship is complex.
It is about unlearning incorrect knowledge and fostering challenging discussions.
It is about creating policies and practices that respond best to the needs of disabled persons.

Allyship is essential.
It exists in businesses, corporations, public entities, and the travel industry.
It ensures a space for disabled persons to participate actively and meaningfully.

Allies and ‘allies-in-training’: welcome to a (very brief) crash course on disability allyship.

Interested in a workshop on disability allyship? Visit our website – thinkbeyondaccess.com
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Image Description:
Image #1 - Graphic with light grey text ’Seven ways to become better allies for disability communities’ is displayed at the centre on a background with faded image of Chloée typing on laptop. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #2 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Let disabled persons voice what kind of support they need from their allies and validate it.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #3 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Make space for disabled persons and do not speak on their behalf. Only do so if instructed.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #4 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Know that each disabled person has their own experiences and comparing them is ableist.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #5 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Learn the histories of disability communities and stay informed about current disability debates.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #6 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Recognize that disability policies are not necessarily best practices derived from disability communities.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #7 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Remember that disabled persons know their needs best and must be at the forefront of decision- and policy-making processes.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #8 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Understand that disability communities are not homogeneous. Intersectionality is prevalent, even though resources and supports may not reflect it.’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.
Image #9 - Graphic with light grey text ‘Takeaway: Disabled persons are the only accessibility and disability experts. Become knowledgeable, be present, and always listen to disability communities..’ displayed at the centre on an eggplant coloured solid background. Business name ‘Chloée Catherine Consulting’ and website ‘thinkbeyondaccess.com’ are centred at the bottom.

01/12/2022

When doing accessibility and disability work, reflecting on one’s own positionality is essential.
And I attempt to do it each time I take on a new project.

As a consultant, I often question my beliefs, my practices, and my values.
Because I cannot, and will not, impose what I think is best upon my clients.
This is not my ultimate goal and I wish to avoid it at all costs.

But, in my opinion, accessibility is such a nuanced concept and there are different ways to achieve and depict it. And thus it is quite challenging to do consulting work without incorporating one’s lived experiences and realities.

Would I offer similar knowledge and suggestions if my positionality were different?
What if I could navigate spaces differently?
What if I lived in a different location?
What if I did not have access to the privileges that I currently hold?

Would my consulting business even exist?
Probably not.

The reality is this: despite not wanting to exert my positionality upon others, it becomes impossible to do so when sharing my knowledge and lived experiences is part of my work.

Because I want to exemplify what inaccessibility and a lack of inclusivity might be. And the struggles, along with the successes, I experience are incredibly impacted by my positionality.

And it is by acknowledging it that I seek to avoid inflicting how I perceive society upon others.
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Image Description:
Grey toned headshot image of Chloée, a white settler, smiling and gazing to the right of the camera. She is wearing a matching scarf and hat, as well as a coat. Buildings and street lights are in the background.

01/10/2022

Yes, action does amount to change.
And without action disabled persons will remain at the margins of education, healthcare, intimacy, service delivery, travel.

At the margins of society.

Yes, ‘action’ is present in today’s society.
But ‘lack of action’ is prevalent and it is articulated through apologies.

Individuals often choose to apologize instead of attempting to find tangible solutions and create much needed shifts.

When disabled persons are barred from accessing spaces.
When disabled persons are not consulted.
When the lived experiences of disabled persons are not validated.

While an apology might bring comfort to some individuals, it does not erase the inaccessibility and the lack of inclusivity.
An apology does not enable participation of disabled persons, nor does it allow for the exertion of their rights.

By apologizing, individuals escape the necessity of generating accessible and inclusive spaces for disabled persons. And once again accountability is avoided.

Inaccessibility and lack of inclusivity reinforce the perception that disabled persons are not citizens of society. Cannot participate in political and social ways. Cannot advance within their own communities.

Finding tangible solutions is not complex.
Creating much needed shifts is not impossible.

But action is necessary.
Action that is real and sustainable and that responds to the needs of disabled persons.

Business owners, corporations, private entities, and the travel industry: take action and hire consultants with lived experiences to help further generate accessible and inclusive spaces for disabled persons.
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Image Description:
Graphic with light grey text ‘Apologies are great, but they don't really change anything. Do you know what does? Action. - Stella Young’ is displayed on an eggplant coloured solid background.

Think Beyond Access

02/21/2022

02/17/2022

02/14/2022

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02/09/2022

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