Hello wonderful people.

You don’t know me. My name is Sara Newman I live in Toronto Canada.

I’m an artist, performer, writer, director, and animator. I am also a curator level member for the Art Gallery of Ontario, a higher supporter level Royal member of the Ontario Museum, Ambassador level member of Toronto International Film Festival, and higher level of membership of the Hot Docs film festival. My wife also a support other charities.

I am also disabled. I use forearm crutches, and have had to use wheelchairs in years past. Now I have my own mobility device that I am able to use at all the cultural institutions: AGO, ROM, etc.

This device has enabled me to finally see exhibits as they should be:

I am able to self propel myself; I can move from piece to piece in my own timing.

I am at eye level.* few exhibits or art are made to be seen from below except the Sistine or pieces that are installation specific. For someone in a wheelchair, often pieces in cases are entirely inaccessible (if not equipped with adjustable mirrors enabling those lower to see their contents);

I take up no greater footprint than a walker;

I no longer have people hitting me in the face with purses, backsides, and backpacks or am backed into.

I am no longer invisible in the chair and have agency as a patron returned to me.

When I attended the great exhibitions from the vantage of a wheelchair, I always felt deeply the privileged to be able to attend any exhibition – as viewer, as artist, even as past curator (a lifetime long ago prior to my career in animation) as Artist in Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

The Alinker is a godsend. It is my Walker but better. I’m not reaching down but forward. And my weight is not fully on my legs.

You can see my posts about my experience using this incredible mobility device and museums and galleries @nm8trx on Instagram.

Much joy,

~Sara