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There's A Starman Waitin' In the Sky...
The Roll Up
Sarah Elliott
December 23, 2025
In partnership with
Well hey there folks,
It’s a good thing I didn’t write this intro last week, with all of the shootings across the globe, and then the death of Rob Reiner, I didn’t have a lot of nice things to say, but that was last week. LAST WEEK. We’ve all aged at least a couple of years since that, right?
Snow and cold temps have been blanketing the Northeast which makes for pretty backdrops, but flooding and atmospheric rivers have drenched the Western part of the U.S. Chile swung the other way and elected an ultra-right new President. Thailand and Cambodia are clashing at their border. The U.S. continues its vendetta against (checks notes) … Venezuela. Super monopoly attempts continue in the entertainment industry. And, I am sure there are more, but I can’t go on. No way. “No, no, no, this is CHRISTMAS, the season of perpetual HOPE!” (Thank you to the 23 of you who also go deep on the Home Alone references. My language is constantly peppered with them.) And also, Happy Hanukkah (a couple days late) and also, whatever else you celebrate this season! Winter solstice rituals anyone? I’m burning sh*t and it feels GREAT.
Anywho, it’s been a year and then some, huh? We’ve got some fun facts/stats to share with you below, and we are so grateful you’ve stuck around to see us through another year of growth. And like Ziggy advised “He's told us not to blow it, 'Cos he knows it's all worthwhile.” We are headed in the right direction folks. Lots of exciting things are on the horizon in 2026, and we can’t wait to share them all with you, because as you all know, we go further together.
As always, thank you for the support.
~Sarah
TL;DR: Too Long, Didn’t Read
Nuggets: Roll’s global domination, but not like in a regular way, in a cool way.
Crip News: Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto – power chairs are in for a major upgrade.
Wheel-y Good: Wheelchairs in space.
Policy: Accessibility is served covered in maple syrup, eh?
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⚒️ Roll’s Nuggets ⛏️
Updates on the App
Alright folks, you know we have a new user-friendly design coming in 2026, the blog, our spotlight series video interviews, and always new developments within the app to make it mo’ betta!
Theme for 2025: Global Domination
Image created by Roll Mobility
Theme for 2026: To Infinity and Beyond!
Giphy
We’d love to hear from you! Did we miss the mark, or do you have an idea to make it better? Reach out at [email protected].
👩🦽 Crip News You Can Use 👨🦼
Accessi-stories From Around the World
Researchers out of Northeastern University’s Robotics and Intelligent Vehicle Research Laboratory are teaming up with Assistive Technology Development Inc. to build an autonomous wheelchair with a robotic arm. The project – called RAMMP (Robotic Assistive Mobility and Manipulation Platform Providing Independence for People with Disabilities) – is a multi-university, public-private collaboration pushing wheelchairs firmly into the robotics era. And could be a real game-changer for those in chairs hoping to extend their autonomy further. Imagine pairing this kind of intelligent wheelchair with real-time accessibility data, crowd-sourced insights, and route-level intelligence. Funny. We happen to know a company doing exactly that. 😉
Why it matters: While some of us Xennials dream of returning to the ’90s (ahem cough), your power chair shouldn’t be stuck in analog. This isn’t just mobility, it’s independence, agency, and assistive tech that can interact with the world, not just move through it.
ATDev cofounders Todd Roberts and Owen Kent showoff a prototype of the wheelchair platform
😄 Wheel-y Good News 😁
Good Folks Doin’ Good Thangs
Photo of original comic, Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Regardless of how we all feel about Katy Perry going to space, we do care about Michaela Benthaus going – because she’s the first wheelchair user to float in space. You go, Glen-Benthaus! 🚀 Working with Blue Origin on the New Shepard NS-37 mission, the team made modifications including a custom transfer seat, additional handholds, adjusted restraints, and crew training focused on zero-gravity mobility and safety. If space tourism (and research) is serious about its future, accessibility can’t be an afterthought, which is what Michaela’s flight proves: disabled bodies belong not just on Earth, but everywhere humans dare to go. I mean, if we can make space accessible, we can make literally anything accessible. While Roll went global with our reach this year, this engineer is outta this world, which just confirms what we knew all along – we need Roll reviews in space.
Do you have a story you want to share? We want to know about it. Seriously. Send your story to [email protected]
⚖️ Policy & Prejudice 🤫
Keeping the ol’ checks & balances in check
Speaking of global, Toronto just dropped a five-year Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and honestly? This is what it looks like when a city actually 👏 does 👏 the 👏 homework. The plan doesn’t tiptoe around ableism – it names it, measures it, and then builds policy to dismantle it. With one in four Torontonians (and nearly half of seniors) living with a disability, the city is baking accessibility into everything from budgeting and procurement to hiring, training, transportation, tech, and public space design. Translation: accessibility isn’t a “nice-to-have” add-on anymore. It’s the assignment. The plan commits to real accountability, equitable employment practices, accessible services that don’t come with extra hoops, and public spaces that don’t quietly say you’re not welcome here. Is it perfect? No. Is it ambitious, specific, and refreshingly human? Yes. And if one of the largest cities in North America can say “ableism is the problem, not disabled people,” well… the rest of y’all are officially out of excuses. 💅
🔥 Roll Mobility WeFunder 🔥
We are so grateful for the support of our ever-growing community. And while it’s a big “ask”, if you want and are able to do so, you have the opportunity to invest in our own community. WeFunder allows individuals to gain equity in small startups for as little as $100.00 USD. So, what are you waiting for? Invest today or share this opportunity with your own community.
The Legal Bit – We are 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.
🤙 Say What? 📲
Meanwhile:
Thank you Leanne, just wait until you see what we have in store for next year! 😍
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