What is an "access rider"?

I am a strong believer in the social model of disability, meaning that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their differences or impairments. The access rider is a tool for disabled people to communicate exactly what adjustments can be made to allow disabled people to thrive. As you have probably already noticed, I am very openly disabled. 

​This page is designed to help well-intended clients make reasonable adjustments that count, regardless of the project scope and requirements. If there's anything you're not sure about, just ask. I respect people who make an effort to do better at working with their disabled colleagues and admitting what you don't know is a good thing!
​Being self-employed made me realise just how much open disclosure, mainly when so much of my value derives from my lived experiences as a disabled person, can significantly improve my productivity, well-being, and client relationships.  

I used to have a great deal of fear about disclosure, but at this point, I have pretty much just accepted that if a client cannot accept me for who I am, and make a few minor changes to how we work together, they are probably the wrong person for me to work with.

​Here are the disabilities and health conditions I live with:

  • Dyspraxia, known in some North American medical communities as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

  • Sensory processing issues: side note: I am aware sensory processing issues are not recognised in the DSM-5, but I often mention it because I was medically treated for symptoms of sensory issues when I was a child by an occupational therapist as if it were a separate diagnosis from my dyspraxia. Many symptoms and behavioural traits resemble autistic sensory processing issues, particularly hyposensitivity-based reactions to certain sounds, textures, and lights. However, I have never been diagnosed with autism by a medical professional.
 

 
  • Hypothyroidism caused by an operation for an enlarged thyroid goitre (an overgrown thyroid). I now live without a thyroid because of this.

Understanding dyspraxia:

  • Environment: I can only process important instructions when my environment is quiet and minimally stimulated. I struggle to concentrate on what others are saying when there’s too much noise in the background, flashy fluorescent lights blaring, or other background distractions. Still, I have a soft spot for the spontaneous appearance of people’s cats, dogs, babies, and children!

  • Multi-tasking: both the literal act of multitasking and the behavioural tendency to jump too quickly from one thought process to another without finishing the previous thought are challenging for me. Don’t ask me or require me to do more than one thing at a time because that’s when I will lose track of thought processes and not process what others are saying with as much clarity as I really should.
 

  • Instructions: I always really appreciate it when meetings are followed up with written notes or audio or video recordings. Because of my chronic conditions, attending conferences and events virtually and in person is emotionally and physically draining for me. Following up with notes, transcripts, or recordings allows me to process information in the comfort of my home, where I don’t have to navigate other people's expectations and environmental limitations simultaneously. Give me time to process big decisions and follow up in writing; sometimes, I need time to process details.

  •  If I show signs of being lost or unsure of what to do next when we meet in person, gently guide me in the right direction with non-verbal communication. Dyspraxia is a coordination of praxis disorder. That means my disability makes it challenging for me to plan, coordinate, and organise movements. Show and don’t tell me where to go and what is expected of me to ensure my understanding and comprehension. That can look like simply getting me to follow you to my destination, showing me a visual aid, or pointing me in the right direction.
 

  • Because I am dyspraxic, my sense of time is somewhat impaired. Concepts like a “few minutes” or “walking a block in a specific direction” confuse me. I struggle with understanding the time between distances and tasks and sometimes need extra support and patience to understand all the above.

  • Sometimes, I get too hyper-fixated on small details. I see that as a good thing because it makes me reliable at completing work for hire when I say I will, but if it means something has been forgotten about, gently remind me and don’t take it personally.
 

  •  Be very specific about deadlines and time requirements.  I will only know what you want if you communicate expectations to me in the following way: “I need this by the following date and time of the following time zone,” not “By the end of the week or day.” Also, I benefit greatly from briefs: an overview of what you want in terms of word count, goals of the work itself, audience preferences, demographics, and goals etc. Be as specific as you possibly can. The more I know, the better I can do my job.

  • Deadlines and meeting invites communicated with digital tools like Calendly, Google Calendar, etc., are loved, encouraged, and appreciated.

What I want you to know about my neurodivergence

​  
  • Sometimes, I mentally drift in and out of conversations. It’s not a switch I can turn off; it’s a periodic behavioural thing I cannot control. Don’t judge me for it, don’t call me rude, just repeat yourself again if I don’t respond or don’t process what you said.
 
  • I am a fidget/ stim toy user. My fidget toys help ease anxious energy and fidgety tendencies. I have small plastic toys I hold in my hand and fidget with, and it helps me focus better and keep my anxiety-prone nature at bay. My hands and legs often fidget in most social settings when I don't have my fidget toys. When my fidget toys are not close by, I will frequently seek other fidget tools like pens, fabric, jewellery, and hair accessories. None of my fidget toys are noisy, so they shouldn’t be a source of disruption for you or anyone in the same room. I am always happy to answer questions about them!
 
  • I love quiet spaces and rooms. If you are an event planner, ensure your quiet room is visible and clearly labelled because it’s a lifesaver for moments of feeling overwhelmed (experiencing sensory overload) due to crowds and noises. My ideal quiet room is dimly lit, has a door separating the noise outside from the silence in the room itself, and has colours, lights, and patterns that invoke a sense of calm and tranquillity. It also has enough comfy chairs and spots to sit on the floor for several people to spread out in the room simultaneously. My advice for those unfamiliar with quiet rooms: it involves a design mindset like the prayer rooms you sometimes see in airports and some businesses but with a secular purpose in mind. Side note: if some people use the quiet room for prayer, that’s fine, too!
 

  • If I seem overwhelmed, give me space, and have your intended conversation with me later or via written communication instead to allow me to respond to the best of my ability.
 
  • I am a disabled, one-person team, and it is quite normal for me to manage several projects and admin tasks simultaneously. Please keep that in mind by communicating your expectations, deadlines, and project scope as transparently, honestly, and literally as possible, ideally in writing. That way, I can plan around you and prioritise your project requirements accordingly.
 

Travel

  • Speaking engagements must be compensated with honorariums, and travel expenses must be covered if travel to a different city or country is necessary. These days, -my life is evenly divided between Marrakech and Toronto. I also have family in the UK and work with many British clients, so the UK is easy to navigate, too!

  • I adjust to cultural and language differences quickly and comfortably. I am a native English speaker who grew up in Canada with a “survival” level of verbal French that allows me to do basics like greet people, buy things, ask for directions, etc. I have improved my French by spending lots of time in Morocco and studying French in school, but I am not fluent yet.
 

  • If an event space is noisy, provide noise-cancelling headphones attached to speaker microphones to make it possible not to lose focus.
 
  • I will tackle the work assigned to me with the most functionality if I have at least 24 hours of rest before I do whatever work is required of me.
 
  • Give me at least a few weeks of preparation to plan my travel to your event.
 
  • I can recharge the most effectively in private, quiet accommodations in non-noisy areas with a private bathroom set-up.
 
  • I do not drive because my dyspraxia has always made it difficult for me to learn in an accessible environment. Do not plan where I will stay or how I will get around there based on the assumption that I will drive—instead, factor in public transportation, taxis, or access to private drivers.
 
  • Offering to help me assemble a lanyard or put on a finicky bit of jewellery or accessory is appreciated, but if I am going ahead and doing it myself, assume it’s something I already mastered and practised. I have coordination issues, so don’t expect me to hang lights or tie elaborate knots or buttons.
 
  • Is the event space, hotel, airport, business, or airline involved in your event a participant in the sunflower lanyard program? If so, let me know what measures are often taken to factor that in. When available, this program lowers the stress of my travel experiences.
 

  •  Please do whatever you can to ensure I know what to expect from public transportation and taxis, how to get to my destination, etc. Organisations like AccessAble are excellent sources of inspiration for coherently offering these instructions.
 
  • Send an agenda and schedule in advance to keep expectations clear and avoid uncertainty.
 
  • I require a moderator for virtual and in-person events because multitasking and timekeeping are tough when I must simultaneously concentrate on coherently putting words together for an audience. This appointed moderator should safeguard abusive behaviour, keep track of questions, let me know how much time I have left, and offer support when technical difficulties occur. Ideally, the moderator and I will meet in person or virtually at least 24 hours before the event to make sure that they have a copy of the slides and that we have a plan in case of tech issues, emergencies, etc.
 
  • Because of the symptoms of all my chronic issues, I function best if I am not expected to be the speaker or special guest at conference and event functions before 9 AM and after 7 PM. However, some exceptions can be made for more casual, networking-based social events I can back out of if fatigue and sensory overload kick in too intensely to be at my best.

Neurodivergence and meetings

​
  • To make your meetings neuro-inclusive, only force people to have their cameras on if they speak. Encourage people to communicate in whatever way feels immediately comfortable (verbal, written, or in another medium altogether).
 
  • Also, make it clear to speakers and attendees alike that frequently leaving and coming back or taking breaks is socially acceptable.
 
  • Make meetings at most one to two hours to catch me at my most focused and productive state.
 
  • All meetings must be scheduled and planned at least 48 hours in advance. I also appreciate getting your questions sent to me in advance and providing as much preparational information as you can about what’s expected of me.

Press, media, and research preferences

  • I prefer to respond in writing for journalist interviews, but if you choose to have a verbal conversation, send the questions at least 48 hours before I talk to you to give me time to think about my answers.
 
 
  • Any interviews I conduct will allow the interviewee to send me written answers or have a verbal conversation, depending on personal preferences. If it’s verbal, I will send questions in advance and record and auto-transcribe our conversation with AI transcription software for research and accessibility purposes.  No one will ever be shown the transcription, just the parts I choose to use in the final draft.

Ergonomics

  • Due to my hypotonia, sitting still for long periods can be painful because I’m prone to stiffening up my back, arms, shoulders, and legs to the point of causing physical pain without realising it when sitting, lying down, or stretching. Plan events to allow breaks from one speaker to the next to allow me to get up and stretch my legs.
 
  • Pillows and other tools for good back support that encourage the person sitting down not to stiffen their arms and legs too much are encouraged. Consult the opinion of a physio or occupational therapist if you need help with how best to approach this.

Thyroid issues 101

​
  • Chronic medication instructions and rules: I have been taking levothyroxine (artificial thyroid hormone replacement medication) once a day, every day since January 2024. This medication compensates for my lack of thyroid and does the work that a functional thyroid does automatically. I must be given time and space to take my medication every morning, before breakfast and the medication requires me to wait an hour before eating or drinking anything to take effect.
 
  • Should you worry about hypothyroidism symptoms despite medication access? In most cases, the answer is no. My dosages and symptoms are carefully managed via regular blood test access and medical professional's advice, and my medication is highly effective. Most professional commitments are planned around my appointments. However, flare-ups can occur in situations of stress or significant lifestyle changes, but they are rare.  Flare-ups can look like fatigue, pain issues that trigger irritability, brain fog, and sudden changes in mental health. The best thing that can be done is to give me time to seek applicable medical guidance and a chance to rest.

Marketing

  • Your event website should list all-access information for disabled people. It is encouraged to think deeper than wheelchair access and consider hidden/ invisible conditions.
 
  • Check out my press page for copy-and-paste-friendly press bios, book info, pictures of me for events, social media info, etc.