Lizzie Cass-Maran
@lizzie-cass-maran.bsky.social
Queer, disabled, neurodivergent human living in Scotland. 🏳️🌈 ♿️
Expect posts on accessibility, content design and social justice. And sometimes chickens.
they/them
Expect posts on accessibility, content design and social justice. And sometimes chickens.
they/them
Pinned
Many of my posts here probably won't be groundbreaking, so I want to establish a few basics for anyone following me/getting to know me.
So, in no particular order:
So, in no particular order:
Ah, the many flaws of diagnosing neurodivergence when it runs in the family.
"Does your child make eye contact with you?"
"I don't know; I don't make eye contact."
"Does your child make good eye contact with others"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EYE CONTACT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK!!!"
"Does your child make eye contact with you?"
"I don't know; I don't make eye contact."
"Does your child make good eye contact with others"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EYE CONTACT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK!!!"
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Ah, the many flaws of diagnosing neurodivergence when it runs in the family.
"Does your child make eye contact with you?"
"I don't know; I don't make eye contact."
"Does your child make good eye contact with others"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EYE CONTACT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK!!!"
"Does your child make eye contact with you?"
"I don't know; I don't make eye contact."
"Does your child make good eye contact with others"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EYE CONTACT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK!!!"
Freelancing is so great for confusing The Algorithm:
"Here's a ad for a musical! Oh, no, I'm sorry for your loss. Moved to Skye? No, Milan...but in Wales? Considering a PhD? In...I'm guessing IT? No, queer cinema. Now you're downloading a football app? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?"
#KeepEmGuessing
"Here's a ad for a musical! Oh, no, I'm sorry for your loss. Moved to Skye? No, Milan...but in Wales? Considering a PhD? In...I'm guessing IT? No, queer cinema. Now you're downloading a football app? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?"
#KeepEmGuessing
October 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Freelancing is so great for confusing The Algorithm:
"Here's a ad for a musical! Oh, no, I'm sorry for your loss. Moved to Skye? No, Milan...but in Wales? Considering a PhD? In...I'm guessing IT? No, queer cinema. Now you're downloading a football app? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?"
#KeepEmGuessing
"Here's a ad for a musical! Oh, no, I'm sorry for your loss. Moved to Skye? No, Milan...but in Wales? Considering a PhD? In...I'm guessing IT? No, queer cinema. Now you're downloading a football app? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?"
#KeepEmGuessing
A question for people in civil partnerships, (or maybe plan to be). Shares appreciated!
How do you feel when you see the word 'spouse' in advice content?
For example, do you feel excluded? Are you ever unsure whether it applies? Or do you feel it covers you and you don't really mind? Maybe a mix?
How do you feel when you see the word 'spouse' in advice content?
For example, do you feel excluded? Are you ever unsure whether it applies? Or do you feel it covers you and you don't really mind? Maybe a mix?
July 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
A question for people in civil partnerships, (or maybe plan to be). Shares appreciated!
How do you feel when you see the word 'spouse' in advice content?
For example, do you feel excluded? Are you ever unsure whether it applies? Or do you feel it covers you and you don't really mind? Maybe a mix?
How do you feel when you see the word 'spouse' in advice content?
For example, do you feel excluded? Are you ever unsure whether it applies? Or do you feel it covers you and you don't really mind? Maybe a mix?
I travel by train a fair bit, and have NEVER seen these @lner.co.uk 'order at your seat' QR codes actually work.
It always just *happens* to be unavailable today.
I'm honestly intrigued as to whether I'm supremely unlucky or it's just a front to look good.
Has anyone ever successfully used it?
It always just *happens* to be unavailable today.
I'm honestly intrigued as to whether I'm supremely unlucky or it's just a front to look good.
Has anyone ever successfully used it?
July 2, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I travel by train a fair bit, and have NEVER seen these @lner.co.uk 'order at your seat' QR codes actually work.
It always just *happens* to be unavailable today.
I'm honestly intrigued as to whether I'm supremely unlucky or it's just a front to look good.
Has anyone ever successfully used it?
It always just *happens* to be unavailable today.
I'm honestly intrigued as to whether I'm supremely unlucky or it's just a front to look good.
Has anyone ever successfully used it?
The next time someone tells me what a sweet deal I have to have my own seat, I'm sending them a picture me sliding down a long ramp in the rain, using 'crash into the barriers sometimes' as the only way to save me from serious injury.
#WheelchairUser
#WheelchairUser
July 2, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The next time someone tells me what a sweet deal I have to have my own seat, I'm sending them a picture me sliding down a long ramp in the rain, using 'crash into the barriers sometimes' as the only way to save me from serious injury.
#WheelchairUser
#WheelchairUser
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
SOAPBOX & CALL TO ACTION: So many vids from YouTubers this past few weeks about the unviability of the platform as a revenue stream. This gang of smart, thoughtful young documentarians and essayists are producing often extremely high quality content for what amounts to poverty wages or less. 1/8
June 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
SOAPBOX & CALL TO ACTION: So many vids from YouTubers this past few weeks about the unviability of the platform as a revenue stream. This gang of smart, thoughtful young documentarians and essayists are producing often extremely high quality content for what amounts to poverty wages or less. 1/8
Can someone please just tell me what Bluetooth speaker to buy?
I need good sound quality and the option to add in extra speakers.
Doesn't need to be super portable, battery life not a huge concern, and I don't want to talk to it. I just want good quality sound!
£200 max.
Thank you!!
I need good sound quality and the option to add in extra speakers.
Doesn't need to be super portable, battery life not a huge concern, and I don't want to talk to it. I just want good quality sound!
£200 max.
Thank you!!
June 20, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Can someone please just tell me what Bluetooth speaker to buy?
I need good sound quality and the option to add in extra speakers.
Doesn't need to be super portable, battery life not a huge concern, and I don't want to talk to it. I just want good quality sound!
£200 max.
Thank you!!
I need good sound quality and the option to add in extra speakers.
Doesn't need to be super portable, battery life not a huge concern, and I don't want to talk to it. I just want good quality sound!
£200 max.
Thank you!!
Can anyone recommend an ethical web hosting service?
Needs:
- Hosting Wordpress running on 4+ domains. Quite small sites/low traffic.
- Email setup with external client and/or catchall forwarding
- Companies that are as green as possible, and not on the BDS boycott list
Needs:
- Hosting Wordpress running on 4+ domains. Quite small sites/low traffic.
- Email setup with external client and/or catchall forwarding
- Companies that are as green as possible, and not on the BDS boycott list
June 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Can anyone recommend an ethical web hosting service?
Needs:
- Hosting Wordpress running on 4+ domains. Quite small sites/low traffic.
- Email setup with external client and/or catchall forwarding
- Companies that are as green as possible, and not on the BDS boycott list
Needs:
- Hosting Wordpress running on 4+ domains. Quite small sites/low traffic.
- Email setup with external client and/or catchall forwarding
- Companies that are as green as possible, and not on the BDS boycott list
My daughter wants to get the Life360 app. Does anyone know of data/privacy concerns with it? Thanks
May 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
My daughter wants to get the Life360 app. Does anyone know of data/privacy concerns with it? Thanks
"It's just a case of managing the discomfort."
Gotta be in my top ten most hated phrases from medical professionals.
What are yours?
#ChronicPain #Disability
Gotta be in my top ten most hated phrases from medical professionals.
What are yours?
#ChronicPain #Disability
May 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
"It's just a case of managing the discomfort."
Gotta be in my top ten most hated phrases from medical professionals.
What are yours?
#ChronicPain #Disability
Gotta be in my top ten most hated phrases from medical professionals.
What are yours?
#ChronicPain #Disability
Just finished a game of Scrabble then shared much glee with my ten year old as I showed her how to put the scores in an Excel spreadsheet and generate a cumulative score line chart.
...
No, YOU'RE a neurodivergent household 😆
#NDJoy #Neurodivergence #GraphsAreFun
...
No, YOU'RE a neurodivergent household 😆
#NDJoy #Neurodivergence #GraphsAreFun
April 20, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Just finished a game of Scrabble then shared much glee with my ten year old as I showed her how to put the scores in an Excel spreadsheet and generate a cumulative score line chart.
...
No, YOU'RE a neurodivergent household 😆
#NDJoy #Neurodivergence #GraphsAreFun
...
No, YOU'RE a neurodivergent household 😆
#NDJoy #Neurodivergence #GraphsAreFun
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
What NHS England did, in new guidance issued yesterday, was direct GPs no longer to offer shared care arrangements.
This means that the NHS is directing GPs to expose patients to additional risks by not monitoring their hormone levels.
This means that the NHS is directing GPs to expose patients to additional risks by not monitoring their hormone levels.
April 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
What NHS England did, in new guidance issued yesterday, was direct GPs no longer to offer shared care arrangements.
This means that the NHS is directing GPs to expose patients to additional risks by not monitoring their hormone levels.
This means that the NHS is directing GPs to expose patients to additional risks by not monitoring their hormone levels.
How not to write an email 101.
I got this email this morning and have no idea what it's about. I *suspect* it's something to do with emails I send about recent disability cuts, but I don't know for sure what 'these important matters' are, or who 'the campaign organisers' are.
[Continued]...
I got this email this morning and have no idea what it's about. I *suspect* it's something to do with emails I send about recent disability cuts, but I don't know for sure what 'these important matters' are, or who 'the campaign organisers' are.
[Continued]...
![Screenshot of an email reading:
Your recent correspondence
Department of Health and Soci
To: Lizzie Cass-Maran
Our ref: [obscured in the screenshot]
Thank you for your recent correspondence supporting a campaign to bring these
important matters to our attention
The Department of Health and Social Care will respond to the campaign organisers upon receipt of their correspondence, and we will ask they share this with their supporters.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qeak7nvzixguyqso3q7tyvt4/bafkreibepxdj7ggsoshp7ka7ktfjstlskdwszby7ko3mevwoov54sa3dpi@jpeg)
April 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
How not to write an email 101.
I got this email this morning and have no idea what it's about. I *suspect* it's something to do with emails I send about recent disability cuts, but I don't know for sure what 'these important matters' are, or who 'the campaign organisers' are.
[Continued]...
I got this email this morning and have no idea what it's about. I *suspect* it's something to do with emails I send about recent disability cuts, but I don't know for sure what 'these important matters' are, or who 'the campaign organisers' are.
[Continued]...
#TransVisibilityDay seems an appropriate day to tell/remind people I use they/them pronouns. I’m also taking the chance to share my personal perspective on some common questions people have about gender.
cass-maran.com/5-questions-...
cass-maran.com/5-questions-...
Trans visibility: A personal perspective - Cass-Maran Consulting
Trans Visibility Day seems an appropriate date to let people know that I've started using they/them pronouns. I'm also taking the chance to share my personal thoughts on gender.
cass-maran.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
#TransVisibilityDay seems an appropriate day to tell/remind people I use they/them pronouns. I’m also taking the chance to share my personal perspective on some common questions people have about gender.
cass-maran.com/5-questions-...
cass-maran.com/5-questions-...
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
March 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
this is why there's like only four printer companies in the U.S. and why your color printer won't print a b&w image when yellow ink is low.
(tracking dots exist on b&w printers too)
This has been around for decades but it is ALWAYS the right time to share this information.
(tracking dots exist on b&w printers too)
This has been around for decades but it is ALWAYS the right time to share this information.
just found out about this. if you are distributing information under this government be very careful
March 23, 2025 at 9:09 PM
this is why there's like only four printer companies in the U.S. and why your color printer won't print a b&w image when yellow ink is low.
(tracking dots exist on b&w printers too)
This has been around for decades but it is ALWAYS the right time to share this information.
(tracking dots exist on b&w printers too)
This has been around for decades but it is ALWAYS the right time to share this information.
I wanted to buy a paid browser extension today, but they accepted payment by card *or in cryptocurrency* and now I think I have to delete even the free version.
March 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I wanted to buy a paid browser extension today, but they accepted payment by card *or in cryptocurrency* and now I think I have to delete even the free version.
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
The obsession with 'overdiagnosis' is a much bigger problem than overdiagnosis itself
open.substack.com/pu...
The discourse around the 'problem' of 'overdiagnosis' doesn't hold up at all when you consider the actual evidence. Pushing it anyway risks harming so many
#Diagnosis #Mentalhealth #Media
open.substack.com/pu...
The discourse around the 'problem' of 'overdiagnosis' doesn't hold up at all when you consider the actual evidence. Pushing it anyway risks harming so many
#Diagnosis #Mentalhealth #Media
March 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The obsession with 'overdiagnosis' is a much bigger problem than overdiagnosis itself
open.substack.com/pu...
The discourse around the 'problem' of 'overdiagnosis' doesn't hold up at all when you consider the actual evidence. Pushing it anyway risks harming so many
#Diagnosis #Mentalhealth #Media
open.substack.com/pu...
The discourse around the 'problem' of 'overdiagnosis' doesn't hold up at all when you consider the actual evidence. Pushing it anyway risks harming so many
#Diagnosis #Mentalhealth #Media
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
College protesters were right about
The Red Scare
Workers Rights
Military Drafts
Vietnam War
Civil Rights
Apartheid
Rwandan Genocide
The Iraq War
But they’re wrong about Israel’s genocide. Got it.
The Red Scare
Workers Rights
Military Drafts
Vietnam War
Civil Rights
Apartheid
Rwandan Genocide
The Iraq War
But they’re wrong about Israel’s genocide. Got it.
March 20, 2025 at 1:16 AM
College protesters were right about
The Red Scare
Workers Rights
Military Drafts
Vietnam War
Civil Rights
Apartheid
Rwandan Genocide
The Iraq War
But they’re wrong about Israel’s genocide. Got it.
The Red Scare
Workers Rights
Military Drafts
Vietnam War
Civil Rights
Apartheid
Rwandan Genocide
The Iraq War
But they’re wrong about Israel’s genocide. Got it.
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
Another lovely day watching the Tesla share price
March 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Another lovely day watching the Tesla share price
No, you don't know people on PIP who have nothing wrong with them.
Happy to have cleared that up.
#DisabilityCuts
Happy to have cleared that up.
#DisabilityCuts
March 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
No, you don't know people on PIP who have nothing wrong with them.
Happy to have cleared that up.
#DisabilityCuts
Happy to have cleared that up.
#DisabilityCuts
Reposted by Lizzie Cass-Maran
As a disabled person with a full time job and 2 freelance positions, I want to state unequivocally that Labour’s obsessional use of ‘working people’ as a rhetorical shield while they attack people on benefits is repressible prejudice and a surrender to the Toryism they pretend to oppose.
March 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
As a disabled person with a full time job and 2 freelance positions, I want to state unequivocally that Labour’s obsessional use of ‘working people’ as a rhetorical shield while they attack people on benefits is repressible prejudice and a surrender to the Toryism they pretend to oppose.
Sam's fundraiser is at 24%. Can we reach 25% by the end of the week? Just £34 to go.
www.gofundme.com/f/freddies-w...
www.gofundme.com/f/freddies-w...
March 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Sam's fundraiser is at 24%. Can we reach 25% by the end of the week? Just £34 to go.
www.gofundme.com/f/freddies-w...
www.gofundme.com/f/freddies-w...