Accessibility Ally

Join host Corrie Melanson for an enlightening discussion with Jeff Overmars, a seasoned public service professional and advocate, as they delve into the essential yet often overlooked aspects of accessible retention and career development for people with disabilities. Jeff draws from nearly 20 years of experience in government, his role as co-chair of the Nova Scotia Disability Employee Network, a...

Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Erika Shea, Executive Director of New Dawn Enterprises, as they explore how one of Cape Breton’s largest community-centred employers is reimagining accessible recruitment and hiring, from the job posting to the first day and beyond. With over 200 staff across 17 nonprofit entities, New Dawn doesn’t just fill roles; it builds commu...

Join host Corrie Melanson for a practical and inspiring conversation with Heather Wilkinson from Wonder’neath Art Society and Bianca Goh from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) as they explore what accessible customer service really means and how organisations of any size can get it right. From a vibrant community art studio to a province-wide retailer, Heather and Bianca share real-world s...

Join host Corrie Melanson for an inspiring conversation with Kerri Jack, Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator at Recreation Nova Scotia, as they explore how communities across the province are transforming recreation spaces—and lives—through accessible design. From Mobi-Mats on beaches to sled hockey in Cape Breton, Kerrie shares tangible, real-world examples of how Nova Scotia is leading the w...

Join host Corrie Melanson for a revealing conversation with neurodiversity advocates Keith Gelhorn, founder of Advocacy, and support worker Michelle Wood, as they explore what it truly means to build neuro-inclusive workplaces—and why it’s a win for everyone. Drawing from lived experience and professional expertise, Keith and Michelle break down the myths, share personal journeys of late diagnosis...

Join host Corrie Melanson for an enlightening conversation with plain language experts Erin Casey and Catherine Buckey as they unpack why clear communication is a cornerstone of accessibility—and how it benefits everyone, every day. Erin, a neurodivergent communicator with 30 years of experience, and Catherine, a former journalist turned accessibility advocate, dive deep into what plain language t...

Join host Corey for an insightful conversation with digital accessibility experts Garth Holmes, co-founder of Be Responsive Media, and Kirsten Dodd, CEO of Haynova, as they tackle one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of inclusion: making the digital world accessible to everyone. Drawing from decades of experience in web development, design, and inclusive technology, Garth and Kirsten m...

Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Julie Glaser, accessibility consultant in the Annapolis Valley, and Laura Swaine, Manager of Community Programs at YWCA Halifax, as they explore how different generations are reshaping workplace accessibility, from Gen Z to Boomers. Julie and Laura bring unique perspectives from supporting teams spanning early 20s to over 65, reve...

Join host Corrie Melanson for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Johnson, Regional Accessibility Coordinator for five Lunenburg County municipalities, and Nikki Burd, Manager of Human Resources at Stewart McKelvey, as they share practical "disability hacks" that are transforming workplaces across Nova Scotia. Ellen shares her personal journey from navigating her first job with low vision to her...

Join host Corrie Melanson for an insightful conversation with Tammy Bernasky, Assistant Professor at Cape Breton University, and Tova Sherman, CEO of Reachability Association, as they explore the current state of accessibility and disability inclusion in Nova Scotia. Tammy shares her work developing the groundbreaking Quality of Life Index for people with disabilities—a comprehensive measurement t...

Henk and Thivjan are both Executive Directors (ED) of organizations that support people with intellectual disabilities. Henk is the ED of DASC Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC), a social enterprise. Thivjan is the ED of Inclusion Nova Scotia. The three have a conversation about what it means to be an accessibility confident leader in Nova Scotia, and the importance of valuing and empowering p...

Corrie sits down with Vanessa Furlong, who is an artist and mental health practitioner based in Halifax. She worked with Erin Ball to create LEGacy Circus, a contemporary arts duo combining the use of leg attachments, mobility aids, and traditional and non-traditional circus apparatuses. Vanessa and Erin created a great resource called Increasing Accessibility in movement-based practices . In this...

Michelle Mahoney, Accessibility Officer at Kings University, and Morgane Evans, a former Dalhousie student who works in communications, share their experiences around accessibility and education. They chat with host Corrie Melanson about the importance of inclusive education and advocating for accessibility in Nova Scotia, with a focus on shifting mindsets towards disability inclusion. They discus...

We should always feel supported by our community, specifically by our local institutions. Human Rights Activist, Vicki Levack, joins Corrie this episode to discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing employment and housing, as well as their experiences advocating for social justice and human rights in Canada. The two chat about the Human Rights Remedy, and the role of the...

Intersectionality is often left out of the conversation when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. In this discussion, we make intersectionality the focus, as we sit down with Liza Arnason. Liza is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the ASE (pronounced ah-SHAY) Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities. Liza centres Disability Justice and the...

In this episode we explore and identify Deaf culture and the importance of fostering inclusive education, shedding light on the joys and challenges faced by the deaf community in a predominantly hearing world. Your host Corrie Melanson, is joined by Holly and their interpreter Mae. Holly is queer, Indigenous, and Deaf. Holly shares their experience as a Deaf person in rural and urban settings in N...

There is no doubt that being accessible by 2030 is a huge goal! In this episode, your host Corrie Melanson, sits down with Dawn Stegen and Terri Lynn Almeda, to discuss how the many moving pieces of accessibility can work together to ensure an accessible future for our province. Dawn is the Executive Director of the Accessibility Directorate. Terri Lynn Almeda is the Director of Programs and Servi...

It would be hard to find a more amazing, local example of an exceptional partnership for change in accessibility than that of 2 Crows Brewing and the Prescrott Group!  In this episode we sit down with Eric Dupont, who is the Operations Manager at 2 Crows Brewing in Halifax. 2 Crows partners with Prescott Group to hire adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) in their warehous...

This episode we sit down with Ursula Mogensen who is a queer, non-binary human with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They share their experiences with a late diagnosis of ADHD, the supports at work that help them thrive, and the challenges and benefits of being Neurodivergent. This podcast is made possible by Sea Change CoLab. Sea Change CoLab supports leaders and teams across priv...

On the very first episode of Accessibility Ally, your host Corrie Melanson sits down with guest, Paul Tingley. Paul is a Business ACCESS-Ability Officer with the Government of Nova Scotia, responsible for coordinating programs, and services, and collaborating on policies that support recreation in Nova Scotia. Corrie and Paul have an amazing discussion on the six standards that approach the legisl...