AXS Lab

09/15/2026

Hi everyone,

In honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11, I am re-releasing my film Lest We Forget on YouTube.

This film came out of my experience in the aftermath of 9/11 and my need to document what I was seeing, feeling, and witnessing around me.

Lest We Forget looks not only at the tragedy of September 11, but at what happened afterward. The film draws a connection between the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the fear, suspicion, discrimination, and violence directed toward South Asian, Arab, and Muslim communities after 9/11. It asks us to look at how fear can lead a society to repeat the injustices of the past.

Twenty-five years later, I feel it is more important than ever to share this film and its message. With so many conflicts and divisions in the world today, we need to remember where prejudice and fear can lead us, and why protecting our shared humanity matters.

I hope you’ll watch Lest We Forget, share it with others, and help keep this conversation alive.

We must remember the past so we do not repeat it.

#911

December 7, 1941. The bombing of Pearl Harbor thrusts America into ...

09/11/2026

Today, I’m reflecting on 9/11.

I was there as a disaster relief advocate for Safe Horizon, and those experiences changed my life. Not long after, I was diagnosed with MS, something I’ve sometimes wondered about in terms of timing and everything that happened during that period.

So much has changed since then. But one thing that has remained steadfast is the work I do.

Through AXS Lab and AXS Map, we continue working toward a world that is more accessible and inclusive for people living with disabilities. Whether it’s accessibility mapping, filmmaking, storytelling, or bringing people together, this work and this community continue to keep me grounded.

On a day that carries so many difficult memories, I’m also feeling grateful.

Thank you to everyone who has supported AXS Lab and AXS Map, contributed a review, participated in a Mapathon, watched one of our films, or simply believed in what we’re trying to accomplish.

We keep moving forward together.

2001 #

08/31/2026

Coming to PBS this September!

Standing Above the Clouds from Pacific Heartbeat will be airing on PBS stations across the country this September, including PBS Hawaiʻi, KQED in the Bay Area, PBS SoCal in Los Angeles, THIRTEEN in New York, and PBS Utah.

It’s always exciting to see independent documentary storytelling reach audiences through public television. Check your local PBS listings for airtimes.

🎬 Standing Above the Clouds
📺 Available on PBS

08/29/2026

UCLA initiative to expand job opportunities for people with disabilities

UCLA Health is set to participate in a new three-year initiative to expand employment opportunities and training for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities — a population that has historically been overlooked by the job market.

08/28/2026

https://montclairlocal.news/2026/08/accessibility-complaints-sparked-montclair-sidewalk-cafe-summonses/Accessibility Complaints Sparked Montclair Sidewalk Cafe Summonses

Five Montclair Township summonses issued to the owner of Fresco Da Franco and Bar Franco were sparked by resident complaints that the restaurant did not allow enough space on the Church Street sidewalk for people with physical disabilities, records show.

08/18/2026

‘It took months and months and months’: Students express frustration with Northeastern’s Disability Access Services

Alexa Rand is no stranger to advocating for herself. Born with a heart condition that limits her physical mobility and weakens her immune system, the fifth-year music major has spent her entire life voicing her accessibility needs. But that soon changed when she applied for additional accommodations...

06/24/2026

AXS Film Fund Reveals 6th Annual Grants Celebrating Disabled Creators of Color | Exclusivehttps://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/axs-film-fund-2025-grant-winners-list/

Jason DaSilva's nonprofit opens its 2026 application cycle as the org's cumulative grants awarded hit $262,000.

06/14/2026

🏀 WHAT A NIGHT FOR NEW YORK! 🏀

The Knicks refused to quit and delivered a victory that will be remembered for years to come. Facing adversity, they dug deep, fought back, and showed the heart that defines this team and this city.

Last night’s win wasn’t just another game—it was a statement. A reminder that resilience, determination, and belief can change everything.

Congratulations to the Knicks on an unforgettable victory. New York is celebrating today!

🧡💙

05/29/2026

PBS Brings Back Series Focused On Character With Autism

A popular drama centering on a detective with autism who has a unique way of solving crimes is set to return.

05/21/2026

Disability inclusion in advertising builds stronger brand affinity, shows news research

Adverts that feature people with a disability greatly enhance consumer attitudes towards brands and their products, according to new research co-authored by Bayes Business School that also shows the effectiveness of diversity regulations and the benefits of compliance.