Dr Amy Kavanagh
@blondehistorian.bsky.social
Blind activist, Mama, accessibility professional and Londoner. Guided by the Diva Retriever. Sharing my blurry world view
Today I visited Parliament as part of the Centenary Action Disabled Women in Politics event.
The discussion focused on breaking down barriers for disabled women accessing politics and improving representation of disabled women.
The discussion focused on breaking down barriers for disabled women accessing politics and improving representation of disabled women.
October 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Today I visited Parliament as part of the Centenary Action Disabled Women in Politics event.
The discussion focused on breaking down barriers for disabled women accessing politics and improving representation of disabled women.
The discussion focused on breaking down barriers for disabled women accessing politics and improving representation of disabled women.
What does this letter say?
Imagine this letter contains essential information and you can’t access it.
You can’t decipher the blurred text, the paper colour makes the type disappear, and the few words that you manage to read are worrying or confusing. 1/
Imagine this letter contains essential information and you can’t access it.
You can’t decipher the blurred text, the paper colour makes the type disappear, and the few words that you manage to read are worrying or confusing. 1/
October 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
What does this letter say?
Imagine this letter contains essential information and you can’t access it.
You can’t decipher the blurred text, the paper colour makes the type disappear, and the few words that you manage to read are worrying or confusing. 1/
Imagine this letter contains essential information and you can’t access it.
You can’t decipher the blurred text, the paper colour makes the type disappear, and the few words that you manage to read are worrying or confusing. 1/
I read some advice that it’s good to randomly tell the newborn to “wait for” something so that the toddler feels less conflict & impatience.
So we’ve started practicing with Guide Dog Ava.
“Ava wait for your dinner!”
But Ava’s just like “ummm sure I wasn’t doing anything?”
So we’ve started practicing with Guide Dog Ava.
“Ava wait for your dinner!”
But Ava’s just like “ummm sure I wasn’t doing anything?”
September 29, 2025 at 7:04 AM
I read some advice that it’s good to randomly tell the newborn to “wait for” something so that the toddler feels less conflict & impatience.
So we’ve started practicing with Guide Dog Ava.
“Ava wait for your dinner!”
But Ava’s just like “ummm sure I wasn’t doing anything?”
So we’ve started practicing with Guide Dog Ava.
“Ava wait for your dinner!”
But Ava’s just like “ummm sure I wasn’t doing anything?”
I had a really wholesome experience of the power of community recently.
I was out when a big delivery was left outside my front door. Being both blind and 8 months pregnant I found I was unable to get it inside.
So I messaged the street whatsapp group. Within MINUTES a neighbour was at my door! 1/
I was out when a big delivery was left outside my front door. Being both blind and 8 months pregnant I found I was unable to get it inside.
So I messaged the street whatsapp group. Within MINUTES a neighbour was at my door! 1/
September 11, 2025 at 9:06 AM
I had a really wholesome experience of the power of community recently.
I was out when a big delivery was left outside my front door. Being both blind and 8 months pregnant I found I was unable to get it inside.
So I messaged the street whatsapp group. Within MINUTES a neighbour was at my door! 1/
I was out when a big delivery was left outside my front door. Being both blind and 8 months pregnant I found I was unable to get it inside.
So I messaged the street whatsapp group. Within MINUTES a neighbour was at my door! 1/
I can now swim 25 metres in a minute. Yay!
Oh and I’m 8 months pregnant!
Finding an accessible welcoming space to exercise has made a huge difference to this pregnancy and my mental wellbeing.
Oh and I’m 8 months pregnant!
Finding an accessible welcoming space to exercise has made a huge difference to this pregnancy and my mental wellbeing.
September 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
I can now swim 25 metres in a minute. Yay!
Oh and I’m 8 months pregnant!
Finding an accessible welcoming space to exercise has made a huge difference to this pregnancy and my mental wellbeing.
Oh and I’m 8 months pregnant!
Finding an accessible welcoming space to exercise has made a huge difference to this pregnancy and my mental wellbeing.
Are you bored with having to repeatedly share your access needs with banks, utilities provider and other essential services?
Many disabled customers feel frustrated being asked to explain reasonable adjustments again and again. 1/
Many disabled customers feel frustrated being asked to explain reasonable adjustments again and again. 1/
September 4, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Are you bored with having to repeatedly share your access needs with banks, utilities provider and other essential services?
Many disabled customers feel frustrated being asked to explain reasonable adjustments again and again. 1/
Many disabled customers feel frustrated being asked to explain reasonable adjustments again and again. 1/
It's the end of an era for this little room. For nearly a decade it has been my home office.
It witnessed the end of my PhD, the start of my career outside of academia, the support of The Staying Inn and the flourishing of my freelance life.
Now the keyboard taps will be replaced by baby coos.
It witnessed the end of my PhD, the start of my career outside of academia, the support of The Staying Inn and the flourishing of my freelance life.
Now the keyboard taps will be replaced by baby coos.
August 26, 2025 at 9:51 AM
It's the end of an era for this little room. For nearly a decade it has been my home office.
It witnessed the end of my PhD, the start of my career outside of academia, the support of The Staying Inn and the flourishing of my freelance life.
Now the keyboard taps will be replaced by baby coos.
It witnessed the end of my PhD, the start of my career outside of academia, the support of The Staying Inn and the flourishing of my freelance life.
Now the keyboard taps will be replaced by baby coos.
"Mummy! Lots of bicycles!"
My Guide Dog Ava stopped on the pavement and my Little One helpfully described what was in front of us.
However, I could've easily guessed as this is one of our local "parking areas" for rental e-bikes. 1/
My Guide Dog Ava stopped on the pavement and my Little One helpfully described what was in front of us.
However, I could've easily guessed as this is one of our local "parking areas" for rental e-bikes. 1/
August 23, 2025 at 7:11 AM
"Mummy! Lots of bicycles!"
My Guide Dog Ava stopped on the pavement and my Little One helpfully described what was in front of us.
However, I could've easily guessed as this is one of our local "parking areas" for rental e-bikes. 1/
My Guide Dog Ava stopped on the pavement and my Little One helpfully described what was in front of us.
However, I could've easily guessed as this is one of our local "parking areas" for rental e-bikes. 1/
What needs can I select on Support Hub?
Support Hub by Experian offers disabled customers to select the reasonable adjustments they need when interacting with essential service providers!
Learn more, sign up and create your profile here supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#SupportHub #Ad
Support Hub by Experian offers disabled customers to select the reasonable adjustments they need when interacting with essential service providers!
Learn more, sign up and create your profile here supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#SupportHub #Ad
August 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
What needs can I select on Support Hub?
Support Hub by Experian offers disabled customers to select the reasonable adjustments they need when interacting with essential service providers!
Learn more, sign up and create your profile here supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#SupportHub #Ad
Support Hub by Experian offers disabled customers to select the reasonable adjustments they need when interacting with essential service providers!
Learn more, sign up and create your profile here supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#SupportHub #Ad
So might’ve forgotten to mention this bit of news over here!
Little Two is on the way, due late October!
Little One is very excited & Guide Dog Ava is already being very protective of the precious cargo.
Little Two is on the way, due late October!
Little One is very excited & Guide Dog Ava is already being very protective of the precious cargo.
August 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
So might’ve forgotten to mention this bit of news over here!
Little Two is on the way, due late October!
Little One is very excited & Guide Dog Ava is already being very protective of the precious cargo.
Little Two is on the way, due late October!
Little One is very excited & Guide Dog Ava is already being very protective of the precious cargo.
I use my white cane to navigate to the pool & up to the ladder.
I also wear a swimming cap that says “blind swimmer” to help inform others that I can’t see them. 3/
Here’s the link
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8...
I also wear a swimming cap that says “blind swimmer” to help inform others that I can’t see them. 3/
Here’s the link
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8...
August 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I use my white cane to navigate to the pool & up to the ladder.
I also wear a swimming cap that says “blind swimmer” to help inform others that I can’t see them. 3/
Here’s the link
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8...
I also wear a swimming cap that says “blind swimmer” to help inform others that I can’t see them. 3/
Here’s the link
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8...
A story about remembering my own access needs!
Today I took Little One to my gym as they have a great kids pool.
So we could get home in time for nap, I ordered a taxi.
(Obligatory Ava photo, Gym Edition) 1/
Today I took Little One to my gym as they have a great kids pool.
So we could get home in time for nap, I ordered a taxi.
(Obligatory Ava photo, Gym Edition) 1/
August 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
A story about remembering my own access needs!
Today I took Little One to my gym as they have a great kids pool.
So we could get home in time for nap, I ordered a taxi.
(Obligatory Ava photo, Gym Edition) 1/
Today I took Little One to my gym as they have a great kids pool.
So we could get home in time for nap, I ordered a taxi.
(Obligatory Ava photo, Gym Edition) 1/
Disability admin is exhausting, frustrating and time consuming.
Support Hub takes away the hassle. Create a profile based on your needs and it’s seamlessly communicated to banks, utility providers and other essential services.
Sign up here: supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#Ad
Support Hub takes away the hassle. Create a profile based on your needs and it’s seamlessly communicated to banks, utility providers and other essential services.
Sign up here: supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#Ad
August 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Disability admin is exhausting, frustrating and time consuming.
Support Hub takes away the hassle. Create a profile based on your needs and it’s seamlessly communicated to banks, utility providers and other essential services.
Sign up here: supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#Ad
Support Hub takes away the hassle. Create a profile based on your needs and it’s seamlessly communicated to banks, utility providers and other essential services.
Sign up here: supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#Ad
I'm proud to announce that I am an ambassador for Support Hub!
Support Hub empowers disabled people to easily share their support needs with essential service providers.
Learn more & start your Support Hub journey here
supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#DisabilityPride #Ad
Support Hub empowers disabled people to easily share their support needs with essential service providers.
Learn more & start your Support Hub journey here
supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#DisabilityPride #Ad
July 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I'm proud to announce that I am an ambassador for Support Hub!
Support Hub empowers disabled people to easily share their support needs with essential service providers.
Learn more & start your Support Hub journey here
supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#DisabilityPride #Ad
Support Hub empowers disabled people to easily share their support needs with essential service providers.
Learn more & start your Support Hub journey here
supporthub.experian.co.uk?utm_source=A...
#DisabilityPride #Ad
They continued "you could've just said no!"
I replied "you could've read the multiple signs here saying not to do it". I gestured at Ava's large neon harness covered in words & symbols about not distracting a working Guide Dog.
They replied "you could've just said no! you didn't need to hit me" 3/
I replied "you could've read the multiple signs here saying not to do it". I gestured at Ava's large neon harness covered in words & symbols about not distracting a working Guide Dog.
They replied "you could've just said no! you didn't need to hit me" 3/
July 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
They continued "you could've just said no!"
I replied "you could've read the multiple signs here saying not to do it". I gestured at Ava's large neon harness covered in words & symbols about not distracting a working Guide Dog.
They replied "you could've just said no! you didn't need to hit me" 3/
I replied "you could've read the multiple signs here saying not to do it". I gestured at Ava's large neon harness covered in words & symbols about not distracting a working Guide Dog.
They replied "you could've just said no! you didn't need to hit me" 3/
So I finally made an honest man of Other Half 💍
We had a secret civil partnership ceremony with just our witnesses, Little One & Guide Dog Ava.
Then we announced it as a surprise to our friends at my birthday bbq!
It’s been such a joyful celebration of our love & family.
We had a secret civil partnership ceremony with just our witnesses, Little One & Guide Dog Ava.
Then we announced it as a surprise to our friends at my birthday bbq!
It’s been such a joyful celebration of our love & family.
July 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
So I finally made an honest man of Other Half 💍
We had a secret civil partnership ceremony with just our witnesses, Little One & Guide Dog Ava.
Then we announced it as a surprise to our friends at my birthday bbq!
It’s been such a joyful celebration of our love & family.
We had a secret civil partnership ceremony with just our witnesses, Little One & Guide Dog Ava.
Then we announced it as a surprise to our friends at my birthday bbq!
It’s been such a joyful celebration of our love & family.
Sorry for being quiet but Guide Dog Ava has been recovering from surgery.
She had a small lump that we all agreed needed removing. Luckily it was a benign cyst!
She had a small lump that we all agreed needed removing. Luckily it was a benign cyst!
July 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Sorry for being quiet but Guide Dog Ava has been recovering from surgery.
She had a small lump that we all agreed needed removing. Luckily it was a benign cyst!
She had a small lump that we all agreed needed removing. Luckily it was a benign cyst!
We’re all Guide Dog Ava in this heat ☀️ 🔥
June 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
We’re all Guide Dog Ava in this heat ☀️ 🔥
A pedicure pamper for me. 💅🏼
People watching, adoration and a snooze for Guide Dog Ava.
The ideal self care morning for both of us.
People watching, adoration and a snooze for Guide Dog Ava.
The ideal self care morning for both of us.
June 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A pedicure pamper for me. 💅🏼
People watching, adoration and a snooze for Guide Dog Ava.
The ideal self care morning for both of us.
People watching, adoration and a snooze for Guide Dog Ava.
The ideal self care morning for both of us.
Sometimes my Guide Dog stays at home when I go out.
Obviously she's never left alone for more than a couple of hours and if I'm out for a whole working day I arrange for someone to be with her.
So why do I choose to leave my working Guide Dog at home even though she is my eyes most of the time? 1/
Obviously she's never left alone for more than a couple of hours and if I'm out for a whole working day I arrange for someone to be with her.
So why do I choose to leave my working Guide Dog at home even though she is my eyes most of the time? 1/
June 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Sometimes my Guide Dog stays at home when I go out.
Obviously she's never left alone for more than a couple of hours and if I'm out for a whole working day I arrange for someone to be with her.
So why do I choose to leave my working Guide Dog at home even though she is my eyes most of the time? 1/
Obviously she's never left alone for more than a couple of hours and if I'm out for a whole working day I arrange for someone to be with her.
So why do I choose to leave my working Guide Dog at home even though she is my eyes most of the time? 1/
This is the reality as a blind parent when there is no accessible toilet available.
A Euan’s Guide survey found 77% of disabled people avoid visiting new places if there isn’t information about accessible toilets.
A Euan’s Guide survey found 77% of disabled people avoid visiting new places if there isn’t information about accessible toilets.
May 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This is the reality as a blind parent when there is no accessible toilet available.
A Euan’s Guide survey found 77% of disabled people avoid visiting new places if there isn’t information about accessible toilets.
A Euan’s Guide survey found 77% of disabled people avoid visiting new places if there isn’t information about accessible toilets.
Guide Dog Ava finds my workouts totally exhausting.
May 25, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Guide Dog Ava finds my workouts totally exhausting.
Just here again to remind you that men shouldn’t need instructions or lists on how to look after their own children.
I’ve been struck down with a cold. I came downstairs after a rest to find Other Half had made vegan banana bread with Little One.
He had noticed the old bananas but lack of eggs.
I’ve been struck down with a cold. I came downstairs after a rest to find Other Half had made vegan banana bread with Little One.
He had noticed the old bananas but lack of eggs.
May 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just here again to remind you that men shouldn’t need instructions or lists on how to look after their own children.
I’ve been struck down with a cold. I came downstairs after a rest to find Other Half had made vegan banana bread with Little One.
He had noticed the old bananas but lack of eggs.
I’ve been struck down with a cold. I came downstairs after a rest to find Other Half had made vegan banana bread with Little One.
He had noticed the old bananas but lack of eggs.
We’re at #GAConf today learning all about the latest developments in accessible gaming.
I am on one of the panels focusing on advocacy in gaming.
Guide Dog Ava is already happily snoozing through the updates.
I am on one of the panels focusing on advocacy in gaming.
Guide Dog Ava is already happily snoozing through the updates.
April 14, 2025 at 9:32 AM
We’re at #GAConf today learning all about the latest developments in accessible gaming.
I am on one of the panels focusing on advocacy in gaming.
Guide Dog Ava is already happily snoozing through the updates.
I am on one of the panels focusing on advocacy in gaming.
Guide Dog Ava is already happily snoozing through the updates.
Another passenger tried to push in front of us on the bus.
So Guide Dog Ava pushed them back. They actually gasped.
We’re on our way to Canary Wharf so she’s fully embracing her inner corporate bitch.
So Guide Dog Ava pushed them back. They actually gasped.
We’re on our way to Canary Wharf so she’s fully embracing her inner corporate bitch.
March 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Another passenger tried to push in front of us on the bus.
So Guide Dog Ava pushed them back. They actually gasped.
We’re on our way to Canary Wharf so she’s fully embracing her inner corporate bitch.
So Guide Dog Ava pushed them back. They actually gasped.
We’re on our way to Canary Wharf so she’s fully embracing her inner corporate bitch.