Reflections

Getting an autism diagnosis can be incredibly challenging, especially for women later in life. Before she had the labels to understand her experiences, Vanessa Leu struggled with daily shutdowns and meltdowns without knowing why. The 21-year-old disabled artist, advocate, and AMI Apprentice takes us along on her journey of accepting her late autism diagnosis while confronting the internalized ableism that surfaced along the way. Caroline Fyfe is a postdoctoral research associate at the university of Edinburgh, who previously worked at the Karolinska institute in Sweden, and is the author of the study looking at sex differences in autism. She shares the outcomes of the study. Anne Cary is a late-diagnosed autistic women who wrote the editorial that came out with Caroline’s study. She wanted to call attention to the crisis of under diagnosis that is Disabling so many autistic girls and women. She shares her experience with realizing she’s autistic and the internalized ableism that came with the news. Ratsamy Pathammavong is a Disability and Inclusion Manager in the Disability community. She’s a mentor to Vanessa, and was the first to show her that taking the required accommodation is more important than fitting the norm. Ratsamy shares her experience with grieving the life she could have had if she could have understood her diagnosis sooner. Yuki Ng is a Disabled performer and activist. Vanessa and Yuki became friends over Yuki’s openness about their neurodivergence. The two compare their thoughts on medical diagnosis, whether it’s necessary, and what it means to learn to accept autism through self-validation. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After moving into her new home, Joeita Gupta was ready to tackle a new project: gardening! But as a self-proclaimed “black thumb,” Joeita turned to the experts to help her figure out how she can make gardening accessible. Co-facilitators of the CNIB’s garden program, John Bell and Scott Racine, were first to pick up the call. John and Scott shared how they identify plants by smell, taste, and touch, along with other pro tips and tricks for new gardeners. Paul Zammit, an instructor at the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies at Niagara College, brought up the importance of knowing the kind of soil we're working with. And gardening isn’t just about making that backyard look great! Katherine Alaimo, Associate Professor at Michigan State University, lets us in on the physical, mental, and nutritional benefits of turning your backyard, balcony, or windowsill into a living, breathing garden. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Accessible Canada Act has been described as landmark legislation with a single, ambitious goal: a barrier-free Canada by January 1, 2040. It takes a proactive approach. Instead of waiting for people with disabilities to ask for barriers to be removed, organizations must start finding, removing, and preventing them. To do that, three offices were created, each with a distinct role. Joeita Gupta explores who works in each of these offices, what they do, how they work together, and how we can get involved in this project. Joeita speaks with Dino Zuppa, the CEO of Accessibility Standards Canada, Christopher Sutton, Canada’s Accessibility Commissioner, and Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, to bring us up to speed on the Accessible Canada Act. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse Carmichael said “Flying over the parliament buildings was an experience of a lifetime.” She would know, being the first female pilot to be part of Canada's Snowbirds. Over his lifetime, Kelly MacDonald has taken in several airshows featuring the Snowbirds, and like many, has delighted in their performances. The aerobatics group that gave Canadians something to smile about during the COVID-19 lockdown, and honoured first responders through jet formations, is slated to be grounded for the next several years. Kelly explores the story behind the Snowbirds, and what they're challenged with for the next chapter. Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Dan Dempsey, a former Snowbirds commanding officer and Team Leader of the 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron, has written the complete history of all of Canada's airshow teams, and provides us with perspective on where the Snowbirds fit in, nationally and internationally. Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Darryl Shyiak, Board Chair of the Snowbirds Alumni Association, shares how we can help out with “NO PAUSE - KEEP THE SNOWBIRDS FLYING,” a campaign to prevent the proposed grounding of the Snowbirds. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On June 6, 2026, Fighting Blindness Canada hosted their annual Move for Sight fundraiser, with in-person events taking place across the country. Joeita Gupta learns more about the event and its impact. Move for Sight Ambassador Ava Henderson is amongst the 1.2 million Canadians who lives with vision loss so significant, it cannot be corrected with glasses. Ava shared her optimism for the future, and why she got involved with Move for Sight.  Jennifer Jones is the CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada and spoke to Joeita about how FBC works for sight saving research while valuing the lives of people with disabilities.  Larissa Moniz, Director of Mission and Research at FBC, shares updates on gene therapy research, stem cell replacement therapy, and clinical trials. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dawn LeFevre and Andrew Gough know a bit about discrimination, especially directed at their service animals. Despite them both being in law enforcement throughout their lives, a place where you and I might believe has a world of understanding, that isn't always the case. Kelly MacDonald explores this topic. Katy Viccary explains her life journey dealing with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and shares information about programs available to first responders struggling with similar realities. Andrew was dealing with his trauma on the inside for many years, in many unhealthy ways, before receiving the support he needed. We spend time hearing from Andrew's powerful support system who helped him navigate the worst of it. Andrew's wife Elizabeth Gough vividly describes what she has witnessed Andrew go through every step of the way. Andrew's mentor Scott MacCallum has been a voice of encouragement and guidance, working to make positive changes for people with invisible disabilities and service animal users in Canada. And Susan Toth, Andrew's attorney, has dug in for the long battle to end discrimination for people with invisible disabilities. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new accessible fishing boat project is making a splash in the disability community! Grant Hardy has the story. Launched in 2025 as part of the Rick Hansen Foundation's Accessible Outdoors Program, the Everyone Everywhere boat aims to make fishing and fisheries research accessible while serving as a powerful model to follow. Matthew Shaw, Head of Accessibility Practice and Innovation at the Rick Hansen Foundation, shares how this exciting new invention aims to make fishing on the water smooth-sailing for people with physical disabilities. Chloe Angus has had a passion for fishing her entire life. She shares how the Everyone Everywhere boat brought her back into the water after going through a painful time without fishing. Lawrence Gunther, Founder of Blue Fish Canada, knows about the importance of inclusive outdoor activities, and offers us his perspectives on getting out in nature. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June is National Deafblindness Awareness month, and Joeita Gupta is sharing some conversations she recently had with people from the community to understand what is known as the most isolating disability.  Jamie is one of the almost 600,000 Canadians who identify as deafblind, she is a mother to two boys, and is joined by her faithful companion Holly, her black lab golden retriever guide dog.  Penny Leclair is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities. Penny and Jamie share their stories of lived experience with us.  Plus, to understand what's going on in the advocacy realm, Karen Madho from Deafblind Ontario Services and Jennifer Robbins from the Canadian Helen Keller Centre explain the services their organizations offer to the deafblind community in Canada. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does losing your parent at a young, formative age affect the rest of your life?  Beth Deer lost her father during the COVID-19 pandemic, and invited family friend Kayla to share her story about losing her father too.   As these women move through their lives, start their families, and grapple with such huge loss at a young age, they’ve courageously shared how the loss of their fathers has impacted every major life milestone since. Thanatologist Cole Imperi explains how loss differs from grief, and how grief is the crucial tool to handle loss. Plus, as someone who works so closely with death and grief, Cole shares a powerful message of what death has taught her. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's rare as a wheelchair user in Toronto that Vanessa Leu gets to be in a space where accessibility is truly put at the forefront. The Access to Success (ATS) Innovation Hub in Downtown Toronto is designed for people with disabilities to find community and thrive in a welcoming, inclusive workspace. Vanessa and her guests take us through the project. Varun Chandak is the Founder of the Access to Success Initiative and the ATS Innovation Hub. He shares his hopes and dreams for the space, its potential for the disability community, and guides us on a tour of the hub. Juan Olarte, a member of the ATS Innovation Hub and a Canadian entrepreneur, tells us how a space like this could serve the community in incredibly productive ways, and highlights how this space directly helps him with his work. Frances Edmonds, Head of Sustainable Impact for HP Canada, highlights the valuable partnership that's been established between HP and the ATS Innovation Hub, regarding equipment sponsorship and much more. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you have a handle on how to wait for things without getting irritated? Nisreen Abdel-Majid spun her vent sessions on "hate having to wait" into an episode unravelling the psychology behind anticipation. Dillon Lewchuk, Founder of Honouring Home: Clinical Counselling, unpacks what goes on in our brains when we wait, and suggests coping strategies for the anxieties, impatience, and potentially negative narrative-building that come along with the in-between times. From sitting through TV commercials to waiting in line for the washroom, Reflections team members Kelly MacDonald, Beth Deer, and Grace Scoffield give us food for thought on the seemingly minor waiting scenarios that manage to make major impacts on us. And we hear about Nisreen's lifetime realities of chronically waiting for specialist appointments to be scheduled, waiting for hours in waiting rooms, endless delays on public transit, and other waiting situations exacerbated faced by people living with disabilities. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A significant portion of water safety messaging focuses on motorized boats, but how about the swimmers, paddlers, and beachgoers? As we kick off the summer fun, Kelly MacDonald and his guests remind us how to stay safe in and around the water. Toronto Search and Rescue-Marine Deputy Unit Leader Ryan Lippert answers all our safety questions, from how to choose Personal Floatation Devices to how to test the waters around us before jumping in. Abilities In Motion is an adaptive paddling organization that hosts programs at the Fanshawe Conservation Area in London, Ontario. Kayak Instructor Ian McIntyre shares how the program adapts water activities for people with disabilities. David Brown, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Blind Sailing Association of Canada, shares the group's involvement with recreational and competitive sailing. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's never been more critical to integrate accessible design into our apps and websites. Join us as we examine the hopes and challenges of an AI-fueled digital landscape. With the proliferation of AI into everything from website design to coding, Grant Hardy evaluates the state of digital accessibility in 2026 and beyond. Joe Devon, Co-Founder of GAAD and the GAAD Foundation, and Jennison Asuncion, Co-Founder of GAAD and Chair of the GAAD Foundation, discuss how their GAAD Foundation promotes accessibility and inclusion, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day and all year round. They also discuss the pros and cons of AI vibe coding, allowing anyone to create apps and websites of varying quality. Steven Scott, Host of Double Tap on AMI-audio, shares the positive aspects of vibe coding, including his successes and hopes for the future of the technology. Accessibility Engineer and Software Developer Taylor Arndt takes us through her perspectives, opinions, and realities of working with changing technology day in and day out. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Joeita Gupta found out that Reflections Producer Grace Scoffield inherited a sewing machine and was taking up the hobby, she started to wonder if sewing was a lost art, or a growing hobby among people of all ages.  With the growth of fast fashion over consumption and trendy looks, it seemed as though sewing was losing popularity. So, what’s driving this comeback?  Leila Kelleher is an Assistant Professor of Fashion Design at Toronto Metropolitan University and explains how sewing can provide inclusive clothes for people with disabilities or people who are plus-sized, something that mainstream fashion designers don’t always provide. Kristine Fraling, Founder of the New York Sewing Centre, shares how she can get aspiring sewists making their own clothes in as little as 8 hours; her students are looking at sewing as a means of survival and sustainability.  Linda Dineen, Ontario-based fiber artist, lends her perspective on how upcycling materials into art has become popular because of growing sustainability movements. Reflections Producer Grace Scoffield shares how inheriting a 50-year-old sewing machine from her great grandmother completed her craft room and handed her an opportunity to learn a brand-new skill. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Collin van Uchelen, a Community Psychologist, Conceptual Artist, and Pyro Technician, speaks to Kelly MacDonald about his love for fireworks and his efforts to make fireworks accessible to more people through creative exhibitions. Amy Amantea of Vocal Eye and Audio Describer JJ Hunt explore what is possible when it comes to describing fireworks for the blind and low vision community. Plus, are fireworks as we know them disappearing? We touch on the possibilities that are coming in the near future, as fireworks are being replaced by quieter, environmentally friendly options. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are so many creative uses for AI that go far beyond chatbots. The Government of Canada's G7 GovAI Grand Challenge invited students and professionals across G7 countries and the EU to develop practical AI solutions for public service challenges. Grant Hardy spoke with two winning teams for a sneak peek at their cutting-edge AI technologies. Innervation AI’s “Debiaser” tool scans AI-generated content for ableist language, suggesting safer alternatives before it’s published. Innervation AI Co-founder Jameson Jones-Doyle and Head of Sales Max Brault share how they hope their new tool will make language more inclusive across critical public services. Akemi Izuko, Steven Tang, and Oliver Chen are three Computer Science students at the University of Alberta. They introduce us to ReadyFormAI, their winning entry in the G7 GovAI Grand Challenge. It transforms secure government PDFs into interactive voice conversations, allowing you to fill out and review the form without having to visually navigate the documents. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After Joeita Gupta’s nephew was born, she started to think about what kinds of books to add to his first personal library. She's interested in books that show disability in a positive light and express disability as part of the full human experience. Joeita speaks to Dorothy Ellen Palmer about her book called The Scooter Twins, and they get into a discussion around disability representation in children’s literature. Joeita’s also joined by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire, who speak about their disability representation research and their book We Move Together. And to round out the conversation, Karen Li shares how Groundwood Books aims to publish children’s stories that accurately represent peoples lived experience with disabilities. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are our fears around AI justified? Kelly MacDonald continues to figure out the answers to this question with a focus on AI's place in our personal lives. Registered Psychologist Dr. Christine Korol is back with insight into how AI is being used in Talk Therapy and other clinical settings as a mental health tool. Technology Analyst and Journalist Carmi Levy, who strongly supported Canada creating Canadian AI chat platforms during his last appearance talking AI, sheds light on how we can think critically about AI's benefits and shortfalls before jumping to black-or-white conclusions. Andrea Howard, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University, helps us gage our interactions with AI, including on social media platforms, to truly understand what it can offer us and how it can hurt us in today's social worlds. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When we think about Mother’s Day, we may be thinking about flowers, brunch, and mimosas. Or maybe we’re missing our mom, or contemplating being a mom. Mother’s Day is a reminder of motherhood, and maybe even what it takes to be a “good mom.” That’s the question we’re exploring today. Joeita Gupta spoke to Rabia Khedr, Shawnda Walker, and Nikki Dawe about the lens of disability realities attached to their own experiences of motherhood. They share their stories of learning to parent, what support systems they had to lean on, and how they advocate for their children in an ableist society that shapes what being a “good mother” means. She also chatted with Dr. Jewelles Smith, who shares the results of her research on the experience of disabled mothers, from the moment someone decides they want to have a child until the child is all grown up. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grant Hardy digs into the art of stand-up comedy! He's joined by comics Megan Milton, Ryan Lachance, and Darwin Barcellano as they take us on a journey through comedy from disability perspectives. Whether you’ve always wondered how to craft the perfect joke, what performing in a big city like Vancouver is really like, or how comedy and disability intersect, these three guests give us food for thought sprinkled with laughs. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are the fears with AI being integrated into our jobs justified? Kelly MacDonald finds out. Registered Psychologist Dr. Christine Korol explains how we should pay attention to how we use AI in our everyday lives, from spell-check to talk therapy. Lisa Taylor, CEO of Challenge Factory, compares how some employers encourage AI use in the workplace, while others prefer a hands-off approach. Technology Analyst and Journalist Carmi Levy strongly supports Canada creating Canadian AI chat platforms to protect its users; we learn why. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Joeita Gupta received a record player from her mother-in-law as an anniversary present, she had no idea that it would blossom into a lifelong hobby of collecting records. Now, she’s noticed that so many other people are picking up the hobby too, and independent record stores are popping up all over. What is so attractive about this “old-school” medium? Courtney, the owner of Baxter’s Vinyl in Leslieville, Toronto shares what drove her to open a record store and what keeps her patrons coming back time and time again. Jilayne Jordan is an avid vinyl collector and wrote an article about the revival of the record. Jilayne offers interesting insight into how the vinyl record industry was damaged by cassettes and CDs, and how it’s making its comeback thanks to modern day collectors and superfans.  Paul Miller, Senior Vice President of Sales at Precision Record Pressing, gives us a glimpse into how the company has dealt with the boom in the record industry. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nisreen Abdel-Majid explores the thoughts and intentions behind the everyday food choices we make, and the consequences behind those choices. She unpacks the rise of ultra-processed foods in Canada and what that means for our health and habits. Registered Dietitian Abbey Sharp breaks down what “ultra-processed” really means and how to navigate ingredient lists without feeling overwhelmed. Manuel Arango from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada offers a policy and public health perspective, shedding light on the systemic factors shaping our food environment. Reflections Senior Show Producer Matt Agnew shares his family's day-to-day around food decisions, a relatable, real life reality check. About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jacob Shymanski loves to play video games, and when he lost his sight, he felt that one of his favourite hobbies had been taken away from him. Native accessibility in video games is not common practice, and it takes hours and hours to modify a video game and make it accessible. That’s where a community of people on Discord using Claude code comes in. Using an AI chat bot, novice and experienced software developers are creating their own video game mods to make more video games accessible. Jacob and his three guests teach us how Claude works, how mods work, and explores some of the legal and ethical debates surrounding vibe-coding. Aaron created mods for Rimworld, a popular indie game, and demonstrates how he uses Claude Code to write these accessibility mods. Plus, he weighs in on if the cost of this software is worth it. Rashad shares how he, as someone with no experience in software development or coding, got started using Claude and the impact these accessible games have had on the disability community. Bradley created his first Slay the Spire mod by rewriting the code manually and explains how much quicker it was to create the mod for Slay the Spire 2 with Claude Code. About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parenting, whether solo or with a partner, can become a very isolating experience for a multitude of reasons. Beth Deer found herself reminiscing on afternoons spent at her grandparents house, and wondering why her kids aren’t experiencing the same thing. Where did the village go? Did it disappear, or do we just have to create it ourselves? Beth speaks with Anthropologist Dr. Camilla Morelli, who shares insight into how motherhood has changed over the past several decades. She compares how families function in non-industrialized societies to give us background on why this isolation of parenthood is becoming a regular experience for many people. Shayla McCain, Beth’s friend and a super mom who is living with stomach paralysis and several other chronic illnesses, discusses how her best friend and husband have stepped up in the absence of a typical familial support system. Debby Agnew, mom to Reflections Sr. Producer Matt Agnew, tells us why a close, thoughtful relationship with her kids and grandkids is so important to her in an era where the time and the people refuse to slow down. About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do service animals support people with invisible disabilities? Kelly MacDonald follows the work of non-profit organization Veterans and Everyday Heroes (V-EH!) to learn about the benefits of service animal intervention on frontline workers' lives. Captain Andrew Gough, a medically retired Police Sergeant, shares his personal journey leading to creating the organization, matching service dogs with handlers in need without the massive cost associated with the pairing. We also hear from board members Kimberly Biback and Lisa Mason on the ins and outs of running V-EH! Dawn LeFevre and Ryan Horwood give us their testimonials on the life-saving effects of working with service animals after dealing with frontline work trauma. Bruno Matos, Lead Trainer and Founder of Searchlight Service Dogs, tells us about the schooling process to get these service dogs trained and ready to work. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Students are being forgotten about in classrooms, schools are sending kids with disabilities home, and school board Trustees are being removed and replaced with representatives from the government. These are ongoing issues in Ontario's publicly funded education system. How are these changes from the current government to cut funds to school boards and special education departments affecting students, teachers, and parents? Joeita Gupta seeks out the answers in this two-part episode.  In part 1, Joeita spoke with David Lepofsky, chair of the Toronto District School Board Special Education Committee. We also heard from Nora Green, a representative of Inclusion Action Ontario and a parent to two children with disabilities.  This time, Joeita sits with two employees at Ontario school boards to get a better idea of how these changes affect classrooms and class ratios, and hears what needs to change at the government level to positively impact classrooms. Martha Hradowy, President of Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and education worker, shares how some of her members have reacted to these changes, and gives us insights into how school board budgets work. David Lepofsky urges you to write to [email protected] and tell them to reinstate school board trustees to maintain local democracy in Ontario’s public education system. For more information, visit aodaalliance.org/education About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grant Hardy continues his multilingual journey with a look at languages on the job. Youssef Mohammad returns to discuss his career as a Medical Interpreter at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Qjinti Isabel is a Professor of Conference Interpreting at Toronto's York University. She discusses her experiences with accessible Conference Interpreting. Plus, being a language enthusiast, she shares tips on how we can get started with language learning. Let's learn about languages at work, and how you can build a successful, accessible career using your multilingual skills. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Students are being forgotten about in classrooms, schools are sending kids with disabilities home, and school board Trustees are being removed and replaced with representatives from the government. These are ongoing issues in Ontario's publicly funded education system. How are these changes from the current government to cut funds to school boards and special education departments affecting students and their families? Joeita Gupta seeks out the answers in this two-part episode. In Part 1, we hear from David Lepofsky, Chair of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Special Education Advisory Committee. David explains all of the recent changes and how they affect TDSB.  Nora Green is a representative of Inclusion Action Ontario and a parent to two children with disabilities. Nora shares how the removal of school board trustees impacts the parents of kids with disabilities and a shocking revelation of where the special education department is ranked on the Ministry of Education’s priority list.  David Lepofsky urges you to write to [email protected] and tell them to reinstate school board trustees to maintain local democracy in Ontario’s public education system. For more information, visit aodaalliance.org/education About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you feel about the circus? Is it a magical, nostalgic memory where the audience cheers and the children jump with excitement? Or is it something you never fully came to appreciate? Kelly MacDonald wants to know where the circus came from, what it is at the moment, and where it's headed. Steve Peters gives us a historical rundown of the circus, the fantastic and the dark. Dancer and Aerialist Kirsten Rowe takes us behind the scenes and gives us a dose of circus performance reality. We explore what it's like to describe the circus to a blind and low vision audience with Amy Amantea of VocalEye and Audio Describer JJ Hunt. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tipping, it’s something many of us do without thinking. But what’s really behind this cultural norm? Nisreen Abdel-Majid explores the psychological pressures and social expectations that shape how and why we tip. We hear from Brody Robinson, a server at the Singing Chef in London, Ontario, who shares what tipping looks like from the front lines of the service industry.  Dr. Cortney Norris brings us the service professional’s perspective, drawing on her review titled “50+ Years of Restaurant Tipping Research,” and what it reveals about power dynamics between customers and workers. Dr. William Michael Lynn, author of The Psychology of Tipping, helps us unpack why we tip, even when service doesn’t meet expectations. From real-life experiences to decades of research, let's take a closer look at what happens when the bill arrives. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is inaccessible voting a direct violation of people’s rights? Is accessible voting the key to ensuring more citizens are engaged in their municipal, provincial, and federal politics? New Brunswickers are going to the polls to cast their votes on May 11, 2026, and Elections New Brunswick is excited to share new accessibility features available for members of the community. Joeita Gupta explores these offerings and expands on the issue of accessible voting. Chief Electoral Office Kim Poffenroth joins Joeita to explain the accessibility measures available for citizens in New Brunswick. Sarah Blahovec is a Disability Civic Engagement Expert based in Virginia and offers her perspective on how accessible voting measures are essential to the premise of democracy and ensures access to civil engagement. Jeff Overmars from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission joins Joeita to talk about how accessible voting is critical to the disability community’s voice being heard. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or you just love languages, come along on this multilingual journey. Grant Hardy hears from hobbyists and pros alike as we tackle language learning from an accessibility perspective. Youssef Mohammad is a Professional Conference and Community Arabic-English interpreter. He discusses his bilingual experiences both at a school for the blind and in mainstream education. Carolyn Cresswell is an Instructor at the W. Ross School for the Blind in Brantford, Ontario. She shares her experiences teaching English to newcomers to Canada. Ariana Noughira is passionate about language learning; we learn how she’s picked up languages like Japanese and Russian on her own. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are many ways to find your community.  Sometimes, you find community through shared interest or proximity, like school or your neighbourhood gym.  Other communities are carefully and thoughtfully put together by connecting passionate people.   In this episode, Kelly MacDonald highlights one of those passionate, expanding communities.   For the last 12 years, Connect4Life, has been offering training programs for persons with disabilities in Canada.  The organization is now expanding its programming into South Africa.  Sharing knowledge and experience with like-minded people.  Melanie Taddeo, President and CEO of Connect4Life, tells Kelly about the history of Connect4Life and its expansion into South Africa. Mr. Tap is a disability advocate in South Africa, and runs Skills Village Radio, a station creating programming for and with persons with disabilities. Kelly also speaks to Steven Christianson, a Connect4Life board member who was instrumental in the global expansion of the organization. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We talk a lot about accessibility in public spaces, but some of the hardest conversations don’t happen there. They happen in private, with family and friends. And unfortunately, they happen in the spaces that we are supposed to feel the safest. In this episode, Beth Deer along with her two guests, Disability Inclusion Expert Bean Gill and Registered Clinical Counsellor Dan Spring, unpack what happens when accessibility becomes negotiable with family and friends. Dan and Bean offer their perspectives on how quickly our family and friends’ boundaries can turn into something deeper and make us feel like we don’t belong.  About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nisreen Abdel-Majid dives into Lynn Jensen’s journey of losing her sight and finding her way back to the world through travel. After sudden vision loss at 27, Lynn faced the emotional and practical realities of starting over, learning new ways to navigate, rebuilding confidence, and making the life-changing decision to work with a guide dog she never wanted. Through conversations with Lynn and her rehabilitation specialist, Rochelle De Vries, we explore what sudden vision loss can feel like, the challenges of mobility training, and how instructors support people as they regain independence. We also hear from Lynn’s twin sister, whose perspective offers an intimate look at their bond and what it meant to witness such a profound life shift up close. This is a story about reclaiming a sense of adventure on your own terms. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does our history of segregation and discrimination towards minority communities impact the way social justice movements and disability rights organizations operate? Joeita Gupta speaks with three individuals from the Black disability community to learn more about how conversations about race and disability are interconnected. Dr. Sami Schalk, Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains Black disability politics and shares how the erasure of Black disabled history impacts conversations around disability rights. Scholar and activist Dr. Syrus Marcus Ware discusses the history of the Black Panther Party and tells us how social justice movements across Canada are organized. Disability rights activist Gift Tshuma examines how race and disability cause attitudinal barriers in the workplace, dissecting how facing these barriers allowed Gift to create their own opportunities. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does AI continue to help blind people interpret the visual world? Grant Hardy learns about a new accessibility tool called ViddyScribe. He talks to Developer and Co Founder Aaditya Vaze, a Graduate of OCAD University's Digital Futures Program, and CEO and Co Founder Patrick Burton, about this app that uses AI to make video content accessible for blind and low vision users. We hear from Dr. Alexis Morris, Associate Professor at OCAD U’s Digital Futures Program, about the evolution of AI more broadly. We also hear from AMI-audio's Jacob Shymanski about how AI powered apps are changing the accessibility landscape About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kelly MacDonald highlights Tim's Fencing Academy in Toronto, a space and program that started building safety, recreation, and community since the moment it opened its doors. Founder and Coach Tim Svidnytskiy reflects on his journey into Canada from The Ukraine, taking his passion for fencing with him into this new world, and cultivating this space for anyone willing to try it out with him. Hooley McLaughlin, a life-long student and adventurer, shares his story of picking up fencing well into his retirement years, and enjoying the heck out of the activity! Coach Viktor Melnyk, a younger Instructor at the academy, tells us how he learned to embrace a new language, a new life, and a whole lot of new people through the art of fencing. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From sparing someone’s feelings to smoothing over awkward social moments, most of us tell white lies more often than we confess to. Are these little lies harmless or is honesty really the best policy? Nisreen Abdel-Majid unpacks the psychology behind white lies. Clinical Counsellor Dillon Lewchuk explains why we all feel compelled to bend the truth and offers us empathy to help us sit with these social choices. Jim Krysko shares his humble opinions as a parent; when he believes honesty matters, and when a small white lie is more appropriate for the situation. We hear white lie confessions from friends and colleagues, as well as their justifications behind those very human moments. Sometimes the truth is simple… Sometimes it’s complicated. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every year on March 1st, we observe Disability Day of Mourning to memorialize and honour victims of filicide around the world.  Zoe Gross began Disability Day of Mourning back in 2012, and Joeita Gupta invited her to speak about the importance of this day. Zoe shares how systemic ableism, media bias, and attitudinal barriers have skewed the way the stories of these filicide victims are told.  Dax created the Disability Day of Mourning Memorial website. We hear their perspective on the impact this research has and why they’re continually driven to do this work. Visit the memorial website here: Disability Day of Mourning – Remembering the Disabled Murdered by Caregivers About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why don't indoor spaces always work as well as they should, and what can be done to make them work better? Grant Hardy consults with a group of experts and changemakers on how we can make indoor spaces more accessible. Grant opens things up with legally blind consumer, Stephen Ricci about some of the challenges he experiences navigating indoor spaces. He speaks to Maayan Ziv, Founder and CEO of AccessNow and Matthew Shaw, Head of Accessibility Practice and Innovation at the Rick Hansen Foundation to hear how we can tackle the physical and attitudinal barriers in our indoor spaces. The Waterloo Regional Airport incorporated accessibility into a major property redesign. Operations Manager Tanya Herback shares what visitors can expect. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the United States, public broadcasting is anchored by NPR, PBS and other household names, which are currently fighting significant battles to stay alive. Kelly MacDonald reached out to Maine Public, a state-wide broadcaster out of Maine, to learn more about the current media landscape, and public broadcasting's place within it. Recent funding cuts to The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity which historically oversaw federal funding for public media, has led to the official dissolution of this organization. What does this mean for Maine Public, and the picture of public broadcasting? Through the voices of Maine Public's President and CEO, Rick Schneider, and Chief Programming Officer Susan Tran, we hear about community support, funding realities, systematic challenges, and the educational reputation behind public broadcasting. Sprinkled through the show are the voices of Bill Burgess, Melissa LaCasse, and Mark Jablonowski with their testimonials in favour of the fight to keep public broadcasting alive. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For some, cooking is about survival and nourishment. For others, it’s an adventure, challenge, hobby, and a source of joy. Either way, getting started in the kitchen with new recipes, tools, and appliances can be tricky and overwhelming. Joeita Gupta is admittedly not the most enthusiastic to be in the kitchen, but she wanted to explore some of the best tips and tricks for the blind home cook so everyone can feel included in this daily accomplishment.  Greg Pickios is an Adapted Living Skill Specialist for Balance for Blind Adults, and he shares some of the basic tools and skills that he teaches his clients.  Michelle McQuigge, CEO of Balance for Blind Adults, loves to cook and is largely self-taught. She lets us in on some of her favourite tips from the kitchen that she’s learned over the years.  And Christine Ha, the winner of Master Chef Season 3 and restauranteur, is sharing the ways she keeps her kitchens running smoothly, efficiently, and accessibly. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nisreen Abdel-Majid understands that fear doesn’t stop at a border, it travels through headlines, protests, and deeply personal moments. It did for her and her sister, which you'll hear about through this story. As conversations around immigration enforcement and mass deportation intensify in the United States, Nisreen reflects on a moment in downtown Toronto when she and her sister were confronted by protesters asking for the same in Canada. She’s joined by Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty, who shares her perspective on how fear-driven narratives impact marginalized communities. Ronald Sanchez, who is blind and lives in Chicago, speaks about the anxiety and uncertainty he felt as news of aggressive immigration enforcement unfolded in his city. Julia Métraux, Reporter for Mother Jones, explains the specific realities of people living with disabilities through the political warfares of today's times, what there is to lose if we don't pay attention. And Alia Abdel-Majid, Nisreen’s sister, recounts what it was like walking through that charged moment in Toronto. Nisreen and her guests unravel how fear moves across countries, across communities, and into our everyday lives. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can blind and low vision people be visual eaters too? Kelly MacDonald explores how our senses come into play in building our appetites. Food enthusiast Bill Oakley gives us a peek behind the curtains of how food is staged, presented, and plated to draw us in. Terri-Lyn Dietrich, Lily Cereghini, and Brian Arthur share how unflattering descriptions from sighted guides affect their chances of trying a dish or enjoying it. Blind mom Theresa Eaton tells us how she talked her sons into trying foods they visually judged on first glance. And Chef Mary Mammoliti shares her long-time love for cooking, while Chef Julie gives her vivid take on why making calamari is as ugly as it is delicious. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when the life you built around your talent suddenly falls apart in front of thousands of people? In this AMI-original, writer and performer Julia Bonnett reflects on the night her vision loss led her to walk off the stage mid-performance. What began as a humiliating moment became a turning point that forced her to confront the end of her opera career and re-imagine her way forward. Through music, research, and personal reflection, Julia examines why we get stuck in the first place, and brings us along as she figures out how to let go of the illusion that we're ever finished changing. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We know technology wins a lot of the time, but no tech can connect to humans the way our four-legged working friends do, as they steadily lead us along in their trusted Guide Dog harness, encouraging us to get out there with confidence and ease. Beth Deer takes us through her personal (and sentimental) guide dog experiences. Beth’s husband, Cody, will join Beth to introduce their family, their pets, and their faithful guide dog Churro.  Alison Evans and her guide dog Onyx were so influential in Beth’s decision to get a guide dog, and Alison speaks to Beth about why she ended up with a guide dog and her advocacy work through the charity Blatchington Court Trust.  Plus, Beth is ecstatic to feature Jennifer Bauer, one of Churro’s puppy raisers, on this episode of Reflections. Jennifer is going to talk about what Churro was like as a puppy and the critical role puppy raisers play in everyone’s guide dog journey.  About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since I was a child, I’ve had a fear of fires that has fostered a healthy respect for fire safety. Lithium-ion batteries have created a dose of awareness recently as they become part of a growing Concern. Division Chief Marla Friebe Public Education and Professional Development at Toronto Fire Services, informs us as to what’s currently happening with this disturbing trend and lays out a road map of concern involving Lithium batteries. How do you fight these kinds of fires? Captain Jason Boyd has that answer and more. Rob van Deel Piepers, an insurance broker from London Ontario response to the property and health concerns that impact his clients.  About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grant Hardy helps us take a closer look at the reality of life on disability assistance, following a recent report in the mainstream media about turmoil at BC’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Helaine Boyd, Executive Director at Disability Alliance BC speaks about DABC’s position on the recent story, and how attitudinal barriers impact marginalized people. Student and Research Assistant Gillian Backlin describes the challenges she personally faces as a recipient of provincial disability assistance in BC and explains how she would appreciate more balanced coverage of this situation in the mainstream media. And Freelance Journalist John Loeppky shares his perspective on creating effective conversations about disability issues in our media. About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.