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. 1d ago

    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
  2. 2d ago

    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
  3. 3d ago

    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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Jun 9

    How Losing a Parent Young Reshapes Your Relationship with Life and Death

    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 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 4

    ATS Innovation Hub: Building a Space for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

    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 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.

    29 min

About

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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