Blindness and Visual Impairments
How Do You Figure Out Who You Are When You’re the Only Disabled Person in Your Family?
Your glasses scare people,” said my mother, matter-of-factly. The comment stung, but I knew she was correct. We were discussing why, at 16 years-old, I could not get very many babysitting jobs in my suburban neighborhood. My sister had just…
I’m a Blind Woman. Here’s My Take on the “Bird Box Challenge.”
SPOILER ALERT: This post discusses important plot points from the movie Bird Box in detail. I’m a blind woman who has a few thoughts on Bird Box, and I hope this doesn’t get lost among the sea of memes from …
With Great Power Comes Great Accessibility – How the Death of Stan Lee Affects the Disability Community
On November 12, 2018, our cultural light was dimmed with the loss of Stan Lee. Often described in the same manner as the characters he created, the loss of the mighty, spectacular, and at times uncanny Stanley Martin Lieber will…
What I Wish People Knew About Sensory Processing Issues
I’ve had sensory processing disorder my entire life. As a kid, it meant that I sometimes went to occupational therapy to practice my cursive handwriting and speech. As an adult, it might take a few minutes for me to recognize…
Voting Isn’t Always Accessible For Blind People, But I Refuse to Not Vote
As an African-American who grew up with parents who lived under segregation I have known and understood the importance and power of the right to vote. Many times my dad, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama, would constantly tell me…
My Son’s Disability Taught Me to Be Proud of My Own Disability
When I was born, the doctors told my parents I was blind. That was the first line of my college application essay and the narrative starting point of my life. My parents took me to the doctor because my eyes…
If Your LGBTQIA+ Pride Event Isn’t Accessible to Disabled People, You’re Missing Out.
Like many other disabled people, one of the first questions I ask when I’m making plans is, “Will this be accessible?” And as much as I love going to celebrate at Pride events, the answer is often, “No, or pretty …
We Want YOU to Support the Disability Vote (A Voting Accessibility Guide)
The 2018 midterms are upon us, and 35 million disabled people in the U.S. are theoretically eligible to vote. But how many will cast ballots? Our voter turnout consistently lags far behind nondisabled people, especially in the case of…