I need to talk about disability admin,
and how people keep moving the goalposts like my time is unlimited.
Because when you’re disabled, time isn’t casual.
It’s planned.
It’s rationed.
It’s built around pain, fatigue, care, access, and recovery.
So when appointments are cancelled last minute…
when deadlines quietly change…
when I’m told “just rebook” like nothing else was arranged…
That’s not admin.
That’s wasting disabled people’s time.
And it’s not just appointments.
It’s suppliers who don’t follow instructions.
Being told to contact me before knocking — and ignoring it.
Turning up at my mum’s and not even letting me know you’re there.
Freelancing access needs like they’re optional suggestions.
They’re not.
Those instructions exist because I’ve planned my day around them.
My energy.
My safety.
My ability to answer the door at all.
This week shouldn’t be taken up with cancelling appointments, rearranging others,
and bollocking people for not following basic instructions.
But it is.
Because there are no consequences for systems that waste disabled people’s time,
only consequences for us when we can’t absorb the disruption.
If I miss a call, it’s non-compliance.
If I need flexibility, it’s a problem.
But when they cancel, change, or turn up anyway?
That’s just how it is.
Disabled people aren’t disorganised.
We’re organised because we have to be.
Our time is medical.
Our planning is access.
And ignoring it isn’t a small mistake, it costs health.
If access matters, consistency matters.
If fairness matters, time matters.
And if planning is demanded of disabled people, it needs to work both ways.
#DisabledTimeMatters
#AccessIsNotOptional
#DisabilityAdmin
#RespectAccessNeeds
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
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5 Sep 2024
As I head out to Toronto #tiff2024 and #CamdenInternationalFilmFestival as a professional with a #disability, this article in @IDAorg #Documentary magazine is very timely. Please read and share. #AccessIsNotOptional @FwdDoc @1in4coalition @TheRideAhead
documentary.org/online-featu…
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21 Aug 2024
Signal boosting @MarleeMatlin who is calling out the “craptions” (my term, not hers) found on @CNN. The captions on @MSNBC are better as is the coverage. #AccessIsNotOptional.
21 Aug 2024
. @CNN I tried to watch but I’m switching over to @MSNBC because your closed captions are full of so many errors and are unacceptable. You can’t leave caption access to AI when it comes to accessibility for millions of us who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. #captionfail #cnn
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15 Aug 2024
This article is an important read. #AccessIsNotOptional. If you want to understand the importance of #accessibility and why it’s more than about time for these measures, read and then share this. Bravo @slooterman. #AccessIsLove. You want us in the room with you. It’s not charity
15 Aug 2024
I want to push back a little bit against some of the (well-intentioned) comments my latest article has been getting.
Accessibility for disabled people is not about kindness. It is about equal access to society and civil rights.
19thnews.org/2024/08/dnc-chi…
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2 Feb 2024
There are many ways to improve access. This is very worthwhile reading and or hearing. Thank you @lavantconsultng and @HabenGirma. #accessibility #AccessIsLove #AccessIsNotOptional
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28 Oct 2023
This is the 3rd episode in recent memory where @AirCanada has failed a customer with a disability. Offering a travel voucher as compensation? Why would they ever trust flying with you ever again. #RightsOnFlights #AccessIsNotOptional #ShameOnYou
28 Oct 2023
Passenger forced to drag himself off Air Canada flight after @AirCanada failed to provide wheelchair assistance #RightsOnFlights cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c…
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10 Sep 2023
Airlines need to accept their responsibility to accommodate everyone. There is no excuse to deny any human being the ability to use their service. #AccessIsNotOptional This is the cost of doing business. If you’re not up to the task, then why should you be allowed to operate?
9 Sep 2023
Toronto man wins disability accommodation fight against @AirCanada.
Thank you Tim Rose for your advocacy! #RightsOnFlights cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/a…
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2 Sep 2023
Katie, this can be traumatic work. I applaud you for your perseverance. There should never be a price tag on freedom. That should never be debatable. Disability rights are human rights. You are undeniable. #AccessIsNotOptional #DisabilityTwitter ♿️👊🔥❤️
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20 May 2023
How can you say you support all filmmakers when you either have to be rich or under 30 (without a disability) to survive your festival? #CannesFilmFestival do you desire to include the beautiful expanse of our industry’s community. U can do it if you want to. #accessisnotoptional
20 May 2023
The only way an #autistic person can have a half decent festival experience at #CannesFilmFestival is if you’re a VIP who can afford to take taxis everywhere and stay at one of the fancy hotels by the Croisette.
The industry’s mindset will make you feel that if you’re not capable of enduring the chaos, lack of organisation and information, inexistent signage, ill-treatment and inaccessibility, you are not fit to work in the sector - this is gaslighting BS.
Speak to any badge holder and they will tell you how appalled, tired and frustrated they are.
It’s not a pleasant experience, and that’s how the industry gate-keeps and excludes anyone who can’t pretend they are tough enough for long enough.
It happens in all areas: production, exhibition, sales…
I was so looking fwd to this week and it’s been a huge disappointment, I think about saying sod it and fly back home several times a day, and I can’t be the only one.
I am lucky enough to know my way about the festival already, I can’t imagine what it must be like for any #disabled person when attending for the first time.
It’s an embarrassment at so many levels.
The industry can’t change if the world’s biggest film spectacle doesn’t lead by example @Festival_Cannes
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25 Jun 2021
Our volunteer @Soph_Poost may be smiling but don't let that fool you She's tired of dealing w/ people who still refuse to make things accessible for the #DisabilityCommunity Her new #ADA 31 #AccessIsNotOptional t-shirt starts conversations about access before she opens her mouth
ALT a picture of Sophie Poost a white woman posing in a blue t-shirt that reads "Access Isn't Optional Americans with Disabilities Act 1990-2021". Sophie is siting in a green Adirondack chair with her head propped on her elbow which rests on her prosthetic leg beside her in the chair. In the background is a grassy lawn with a few trees and a wooden fence.
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1 Mar 2021
There is no excuse for denying deaf and hard of hearing people access. Especially not in academia.
#StuffAbledsSay
#AccessIsNotOptional
#AbledsAreWeird
#DisabilityDiscrimination
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