Our Stories

Rooted in Rights tells authentic, accessible stories to challenge stigma and redefine narratives around disability, mental health and chronic illness.

A blurred photo of wheelchair racers in motion.

Grappling with Ableism in the Para-Sport Movement

Lengthy periods of contemplation don’t usually start with an accessible door opener. Let’s rewind. I’m a former national team-level athlete in wheelchair basketball and rugby. I was on the long list that the Canadian Paralympic Committee puts together as a…

Reasonable Accommodations with Miles

In his video, Miles shares why reasonable accommodations are important for students.

Michael speaks to camera from a room. On-screen text to the right reads, "We got a priorities problem". The text is in all capital letters and is white with a neon green border.

Seattle Curb Cuts: Accessible for All with Michael

Curb cuts are a relatively simple but important accessibility feature. Yet, they're still uncommon in both rural and urban areas. In his video, Michael discusses the importance of curb cuts.

Manuel speaks to camera while seated on a park bench.

A Mix of ADHD and Autism in a Nutshell with Manwel

Everyone has their own ways of releasing their energy and expressing themselves. Manwel talks about why people should have compassion towards each other.

Clarice smiles while smiling to camera. She is wearing headphones with a mic.

Clarice’s Deaf Journey with Clarice

Clarice shares some of the devices and tools she uses as a Deaf person and offers helpful tips for hearing people to be more inclusive of Deaf folks.

Braxton sits in their wheelchair in front of their fireplace.

Wheelchairs & Societal Expectations with Braxton

Assumptions can be harmful, even if you have good intentions. Braxton shares some of the misconceptions they've faced as a person that uses a wheelchair.

A grayscale photo of the author, a white woman with brown hair just above her shoulder, warmly hugging her son, a young white boy with close cropped brown hair.

My Son and I Have the Same Disability, but That Doesn’t Mean We Need the Same Accommodations

I am a mother with invisible disabilities. I have ADHD, dyslexia, Visual Motor Processing Disorder, and an autoimmune disorder. For years, I struggled to find my place because I never quite fit in with the neurotypical world. I never believed…

A young white woman with short hair, standing against a wall. In front of her face, she is holding a picture from when she was 8 years old, sitting in a wheelchair, smiling.

Cerebral Palsy Isn’t Just a Childhood Disability. That’s Why Adults with Cerebral Palsy Need Access to Healthcare, Too.

Being a disabled kid is hard. I think that’s something everyone knows, including abled people. But even when you’re a disabled kid, you don’t get prepared for the world of being a disabled adult. Over the past year, I’ve found…

A zoomed-in photo of a person's hand on their wheelchair wheel. They are sitting in front of a window looking out at an airplane.

When Your Wheelchair is Your Legs: Holding Airlines Accountable For Broken Mobility Equipment

Travel these days gives me a bit more anxiety than it used to. It’s never easy, as I wrote about years ago, and a lot has changed. There’s my usual luggage, and my service dog, Pico. He is truly…