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Member Spotlight: Annie

By SD Network, 2026-01-05

Meet Annie. This busy young woman just keeps adding to her resume. As former Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, she has been able to share her passion for advocacy and accessibility. She has received many accolades and continues to seek opportunities to share her message. She encourages advocates to invest in social media for disability advocacy to reach more people. We’re so fortunate to have Annie as a member of the Network!

What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Annie is a kind, fun, intelligent, and hardworking person with a great sense of humor. She’s 27 years old and lives in Dane County, Wisconsin. She’s a multi-business owner, social media influencer, author, graphic designer, speaker, Christian, and lifelong disability advocate. “My life and work embody the belief that disability doesn’t mean inability,” she tells us. She shares that she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 13 months and was using a wheelchair by age 2, she has dedicated her life to breaking barriers, championing inclusion, and inspiring others with a message of resilience and faith.

In 2023, she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, using her platform Caring Is Caregiving to reach more than 100,000 people through 52 events across the state. From schools and conferences to organizations and media outlets, she has shared her passion for advocacy and accessibility. That same year, she competed at the Ms. Wheelchair America national competition, where she placed in the top five, earning Second Runner-Up and the Best Speech award! She was later honored as, Woman of the Year, in Dane County for her leadership and community impact!

Through her businesses, Annie Designs and Annie Speaks, she been able to combine her love for creativity, advocacy, and empowering others, whether through design, speaking, writing, or simply sharing about life. “My mission is simple but powerful: love, serve God and others, work hard, and never give up,” she says.

You can follow her journey on Instagram at @annieheathcote, visit annieheathcotedesigns.com to explore her creative work, and find her collaboration book at annie-speaks.com.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Annie has attended the Self-Determination Conference three times now. “It’s a great conference that like-minded people and those under the umbrella of disability can come together to gain knowledge, resources, community, and create positive change,” she says. She wanted to join this network to connect with likeminded people, advocate more, and share her experiences and what she has learned with having a disability that can help others.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

Annie is excited to share that she recently became a published author through a global collaboration advocacy project. She’s one of the authors of Still We Rise, a powerful collection of true stories from ten disabled authors and resilient voices who share their journeys through paralysis, rare diseases, trauma, injustice, grief, and loss — and the unexpected strength and purpose they discovered along the way. She explains that These are raw, honest accounts of rising above hardship and finding healing in places they never thought possible. Each chapter ends with practical tools to help you navigate your own challenges and take your next steps with clarity and confidence. At its heart, this book is a reminder that God can meet and help us in any circumstance — and that no matter what we face, there’s always a way to rise above and move forward. Still We Rise is more than a book; it’s a movement of courage, compassion, and renewed hope for anyone navigating life’s ups and downs. Rise with us and get your personally signed copy today at annie-speaks.com!

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Annie shares two tips with us:

Invest in your social media platform for disability advocacy, to reach more people with the limited time and energy we have as disabled individuals.
Believe in and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior! She shares that her faith in Jesus changed her life and eternity for the better, by saving her soul, giving her disability meaning, and her life a loving joyful purpose! Annie encourages people to get involved with a church and have good community around you. (Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, & John 1:12 ESV)

Annie also shares a list of disability-related books for better understanding and encouragement.

What are some of your hobbies?

Annie explains that creativity and joy are a part of her everyday life — from travel, art, and music to her experiences as a former elite athlete in the adaptive sport of Power Soccer, she enjoys living life to the fullest!

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.

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NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: 35 years after ADA, people with disabilities still find hotels unaccommodating

By SD Network, 2025-12-31

This article from NPR highlights the ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing accommodations at hotels, even 35 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Despite federal laws mandating accessibility, an NPR survey and interviews reveal widespread issues, including inaccessible rooms, design flaws, and inadequate staff training. The article shares personal stories of travelers encountering barriers such as high beds, inaccessible bathrooms, broken pool lifts, and non-functional wheelchair shuttles. It explores systemic issues within the hotel industry, such as ownership complexities and high staff turnover, which hinder compliance with ADA standards. The piece also discusses the role of government enforcement, the impact of "drive-by lawsuits," and the lack of accessibility in alternative lodging options like Airbnb. While some hotels and staff are praised for their efforts, many travelers feel excluded and frustrated, leading some to avoid travel altogether. The article underscores the need for consistent accessibility improvements and highlights the business opportunity for hotels that prioritize inclusivity.