Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy

My 100th post! #ADA30

It is my 100th post. And it is the thirtieth anniversary of President George HW Bush’s signing of the American with Disabilities Act or ADA. I am going to explain why the ADA matters to me. Why does the ADA matter? I’m going to quote from my speech at the Minnesota State Capitol Grand Opening… Continue reading My 100th post! #ADA30

Kris and Justin smiling
Advocacy, Political

Why it matters

Voting by mail this year Last week, I voted absentee for our primary election in Minnesota. That’s one way I make my voice heard and hope that you all do the same. It’s pretty simple – register to vote, request your vote-by-mail ballot for your upcoming elections, and then follow the instructions on the mail-in… Continue reading Why it matters

tshirt that says Imagine
Advocacy, Political, Writing

Time for change

 I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.  Ralph Ellison There are so many places I would have rather been this week – like rallies, protests, volunteering to help in some way. George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis and I live in the Twin Cities. This was hard for me to not… Continue reading Time for change

Kris and Justin smiling
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Political

A New Way

I’m honored to again be chosen as a delegate the Minnesota State DFL Convention. It’s a pretty different experience at the DFL virtual convention this year than in Rochester two years ago. It was exciting to be around all of the people, meet the candidates and other delegates, be part of the action and drama… Continue reading A New Way

Justin smiling on floor at Palace Theater
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Health, Music, Political, Writing

4-year anniversary of Justin Smith Writes

Guess what? Today is my four-year blog-versary. So, I have changed the theme, design, whatever it is to the website. The reason why I changed my design is it felt like a change was needed. And, what else to do when I’m stuck at home. Tour of the new site I created a static home… Continue reading 4-year anniversary of Justin Smith Writes

Justin Smith and Mary Lucia smiling
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Music

Talking Accessibility @ The Current

Wait, what? Ok, this was a big awesome week! Unbelievably big and awesome! Who knew when I wrote my last post about seeing Maggie Rogers and accessibility at the Armory, that Mary Lucia from Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current would reach out and ask to interview me? Of course, I said yes – anything to… Continue reading Talking Accessibility @ The Current

Justin with reporter Noelle Anderson smiling
Advocacy

Adjournment

My first time as a delegate to the State Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Convention was definitely exciting and suspenseful! I met some amazing people and loved seeing the political process in action. Thanks to ABC-6 in Rochester for noticing my blog, reaching out, and then sending a wonderful reporter, Noelle Anderson, to interview me about… Continue reading Adjournment

Justin in wheelchair with movie lights, 2 men looking at him with video camera
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy

Inclusion in Action

I am honored to be featured in Microsoft’s Inclusion in Action video series because it shows how I use technology to share my voice with the world and just how important technology is for me every single day of my life. The video of me is being released on Monday, 10/30/17 at 11:00 CST. If you found my blog… Continue reading Inclusion in Action