Reflections

Accessible Media Inc.

Listen in on how we make sense of the world, through conversation and the lens of lived experience, weaving our questions with your stories.

  1. 6d ago

    The Access Go Mobile App: All Aboard

    Daily commutes can be quite stressful, and that stress is heightened for blind and low-vision commuters when transportation is inaccessible and wayfinding is unintuitive. Kelly MacDonald explores what’s out there to help the community with these challenges. Some of us, like Jason Fayre, are working to make public transportation easier to navigate. Jason has zeroed in on the Greater Toronto Area’s GO Transit system and released his app, Access GO Mobile, providing real-time information in a clean, accessible mobile interface. Terry Bray is on board for better trip-planning options. He is blind, a frequent traveler, and a lifetime transit user who has been around long enough to appreciate the kind of convenience the Access GO Mobile app can provide. Debbie Gillespie has advised on several transit boards and consulted on accessible wayfinding systems for years. She is an expert in the topic of transportation and stresses the importance of safety around independent travel for blind and low-vision travelers. 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Jul 14

    Braille Mountain Initiative: Back Country Experiences Made Accessible

    Whether you're a seasoned mountain climber or rarely venture out of the city, you're bound to be excited by the uniqueness of Braille Mountain Initiative, an organization that takes blind and partially sighted participants into the backcountry. Grant Hardy has the story. Tyson Rettie founded the organization. He chats about how they got started, as well as the unforgettable summer hiking and winter skiing trips offered through Braille Mountain Initiative. Board Member Mark Bentz has been on every single Braille Mountain adventure, and shares what the organization, and the adventures, mean to him. Kate Johnson is also on the Board of Directors for Braille Mountain Initiative. She specializes in the education and training aspect of their trips, and previews what you can learn on the mountains. 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Jul 9

    Getting a Guide Dog: The Process Behind the Partnerships

    When Siobhan Kilburn started to lose her sight, she assumed she would rely on a white cane to help her navigate her surroundings. That was until she attended an event at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and realized how worth the 18-month wait for her new furry friend Ian would be.  There’s a common misconception that guide dogs just get handed out by national or local organizations, but Beth Deer wants you to know that is the furthest from the truth!  Join Beth and her guests, guide dog handler Siobhan, Jane Flower, and Savannah Pritchow from GDB to find out how much work and preparation is involved when you get a guide dog. 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Jul 8

    Accessibility at the 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa

    The anticipation for the 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships to begin is at a fever pitch, but what about the long journey to create an inclusive and accessible environment for players and fans visiting Ottawa? Kelly MacDonald finds out how the city has been preparing. Wendy Gittens, CEO of Wheelchair Basketball Canada, guides us through the steps it took to get here, demonstrating what athletes can expect in September, right from their landing in the city. Wheelchair Basketball National Team Athlete Nikola Goncin doesn’t mince words, expressing what he is hoping for regarding accessibility at this important and impactful competition. Catherine Callary, Vice President of Destination Development with Ottawa Tourism, shares the wider scope of how the city anticipates the traction that comes with this event. Mark DeBruyn, Director of Campus and Community Recreation with Carleton University, tells us about the smaller of the two sporting venues being used. Julia Weagle, Senior Manager of Guest Experience with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment, describes the larger of the two playing spaces as she speaks to the player and guest experience at TD Place. And Founder of the Ottawa Basketball Network Leo Doyle sums up the full circle of this legacy project. 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Jul 7

    Overdue or Overreach: Encryption and Security in Canada

    The Canadian Governments' Lawful Access Bill, Bill C-22, proposed to create a pathway for law enforcement to investigate individuals using technology for criminal activities. But businesses and civil rights groups alike are pushing back on what could end up being an unchecked overreach of government surveillance powers, while harming the security of our apps and devices. Grant Hardy breaks down the situation. Tamir Israel, Director of the Privacy Surveillance and Technology Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, discusses the most problematic aspects of Bill C-22 and its progression through the Canadian Legislature. Grant also checks in with Double Tap co-hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece for their broader thoughts on privacy, security, and safety in a digital world. We’ll be living with Bill C-22 for the foreseeable future, and our panel of experts will discuss whether that’s a good thing, and what can be done about it if it isn't. 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jul 2

    Late Diagnosed Autism in Women: Playing a Game with No Rulebook

    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 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jun 30

    On Blind Gardening: Rooting for a Struggling Black Thumb

    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 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jun 25

    The Accessible Canada Act: Where Are We At?

    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 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 @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Listen in on how we make sense of the world, through conversation and the lens of lived experience, weaving our questions with your stories.

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