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. 4d ago

    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.

    28 min
  2. 6d ago

    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.

    28 min
  3. 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.

    51 min
  4. Jun 24

    Take to the Air: Canada’s Snowbirds

    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 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.

    27 min
  5. Jun 23

    Move for Sight 2026: Where Science Meets Sights

    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 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.

    28 min
  6. Jun 18

    Navigating the Canadian Military with a Service Animal: Please Guide Me

    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 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.

    28 min
  7. Jun 16

    The Everyone Everywhere Boat: Adaptive Sports on the Water

    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 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.

    28 min
  8. Jun 11

    The Most Isolating Disability: Understanding Deafblindness

    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 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.

    26 min

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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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