One of the main reasons that I wanted to make sure that people with disabilities
knew about birding,
is because I had experienced what
I always say is my best life.
I feel like that's where I found my best self.
And I thought well if I found my
best self there, then I'll bet other people with disabilities can too.
[Did you see that? ]
Birdability is my way of making sure that
people who have any kinds
of disabilities are going to know about birding,
[Oh my goodness. Babies, yay!]
and then I want to make sure that they're able
to participate in birding in
all these various locations.
So the spirit of Birdability, then, is to make sure that
birding is for everybody.
Every single person can do it.
Birdability is an inclusive endeavor that strives to get people with disabilities involved in
something that can really enhance their lives
because I know it enhanced mine.
[There's like a quarter inch lip, and you're over it.]
When I go birding, I am listening for everything.
[ I just want to comment on this Carolina Wren]
[since it's so clear and loud.]
[Carolina Wren calling.]
[Seems like it's singing it's typical:]
[tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle.]
[What a nice sound.]
[Carolina Wren calling.]
Birding is not just for a certain group of people who meet
certain requirements and there is
more than one way to go birding.
Some people like me can do it by ear.
[Red-winged Blackbirds calling.]
Right now I'm hearing Red-winged Blackbirds, harbinger of spring.
[Red-winged Blackbirds calling.]
Everybody with a disability is different.
What one person can do, another one may not.
The first step is raising awareness.
There have been times when people have said to me
well, if you go here, if you go there, they have so many good birds in the back.
And I say to them, but it's up several flights of stairs.
And they go...oh.
[When did you and I first talk?]
Unless they have a disabled person in the family
or somebody with some sort of challenge,
they really don't think about it.
So when I find a place, I am so excited.
Birdability definitely has the power to getting people to understand
that, hey, this place is not inclusive.
It can really change people's lives.
What I always wanted to do is make birding a lot more accessible.
So it's great, I'm really happy to be part of it.
Being autistic and having chronic pain and illness,
I love that we are creating more opportunities
for more people.
[Oh, who's this?]
A lot of disabled people don't realize that this is
an option for them. They don't
see that as an opportunity that is typically available to them.
[Hi, how are you sweetie? I'm happy to finally have found you.]
Someone who knew me back in high school would not believe me.
[Bird just landed in that tree.]
Before birding, I had never driven more than 15 minutes.
So, this is honestly kind of incredible that I am even capable of doing this.
And that's what it's all about for me, is helping connect everybody with
birds and nature regardless of their access challenges.
[You can hear them calling right now that..brrrr....brrrrr.]
We are working to make
sites accessible, and we want
to help the various sites know what it is they
can do to make sure we have a welcoming and
inclusive environment for people who want to bird.
[High five me!]
Every single person can make change.
[Beautiful Blue Bird.]
It involves only recognizing something
that you think you could improve.
And following up with a lot of good cheer,
enthusiasm and passion.
Every single person can do it.
[Awesome, I mean you never ever, ever get tired of looking at that. No.]