Reflections

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 ne...

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...

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...

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 Assista...

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 fir...

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...

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 chi...

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 C...

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 t...

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 thou...

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...

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...

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 A...

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 so...

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...

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 w...

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 studen...

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 sh...

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 studen...

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 Aerialis...

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 u...

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 the...

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 e...

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 t...

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 happ...