The Pulse

Neuroscientist Steven Lockley, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard, speaks about sleep and circadian disorders in people who are blind or partially sighted. We learn about the impact of reduced light exposure on our body clocks and how Professor Lockley's research can assist both blind and sighted people who have trouble sleeping. This is the January 23, 2020 episodeCheck out the Pulse o...

Paralympian Ness Murby says that People with Disabilities are far from helpless during an emergency. With adequate preparation, People with Disabilities can stay safe during emergencies such as floods, fires, hurricanes, or power outages. Ness discusses the AMI Emergency Series. This is the January 16, 2021 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains,...

Registered Social Worker Lisa Derencinovic discusses her work with the Sharing Support Group, run by Balance for Blind Adults in Toronto, which provides a supportive environment for blind and partially-sighted participants to collectively address mental health concerns. Lisa shares tips and tricks that allow us to build resiliancy in the face of the pandemic. This is the January 9, 2021 episode. C...

Judy Rebick talks about a new documentary on her life, Judy vs Capitalism. We discuss Judy’s feminism, her involvement in the pro-choice movement, and the mental health concerns she dealt with while serving as president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. This is the December 6, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, inf...

As we close out 2020, CNIB Foundation president John Rafferty and Accessible Media Inc. CEO David Errington join us to discuss the year in review and give us a sneak preview of things to come. This is the December 20, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AM...

AMI producer Paul Daniel discusses some of his picks for the best books of 2020, with selections from a variety of genres. There’s something for everyone on Paul’s bookshelf, be they an avid reader or someone looking for escape during the winter. Head to ami.ca/onthepulse for Paul’s selection. This is the December 19, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company t...

Little is known about the experiences of People with Disabilities in accessing fertility, contraception, assisted reproduction, abortion, pre- and post-natal care and family planning. Áine Sperrin from the Re(al) Productive Justice network in Ireland discusses their ongoing research into reproductive rights for People with Disabilities, which entails examining legal statutes, collecting oral histo...

As federal agencies develop regulations under the Accessible Canada Act, Heather McCain from the Accessibility in Action project, discusses ways in which People with Disabilities can ensure that their feedback is taken into account. They are the founder and executive director of a BC non-profit, Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods, and they describe the importance of intersectionality in Disability...

The Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister for Employment, Workplace Development, and Disability Inclusion joins us to discuss the theme for IDPD2020. She discusses the challenges faced by the disability community and describes the steps taken by the Canadian government to ensure that People with Disabilities are not left behind. This is the December 5, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About...

Matthew Monias, performing as Mattmac, speaks to us about growing up Indigenous and blind on Garden Hill First Nation, near Winnipeg, Manitoba. A self-taught vocalist and producer, Mattmac describes the power of music in changing the course of his life and as a way to inspire others. This is the November 29, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entert...

Philip Pauli of RespectAbility, an American non-partisan disability rights group, discusses the ways in which People with Disabilities mobilized ahead of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. We look back at the campaign, including data analysis by RespectAbility which looked at key issues confronting the Disability community. Pauli describes how People with Disabilities can get involved with the i...

Ena Chadha discusses her role as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She describes the importance of taking an intersectional approach to disability discrimination. We discuss the importance of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month and reflect on the tragic passing of Joyce Echaquan, an Indigenous woman whose tragic death in a Quebec hospital sparked outrage. This is the Nov...

Mary Mammoliti joins us to talk about her podcast, Kitchen Confession, which documents her love of food, conversations with people with disabilities who share her love of good cooking. Mary provides some tips and tricks for cooking during the pandemic. This is the November 21, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canad...

Lawrence Gunther, the producer and subject of the upcoming documentary, Makings of a Guide Dog, describes his journey as a documentary filmmaker and blind storyteller. Lawrence is warm, conversational, and witty as he recounts his journey getting to know seven lively guide dog puppies, all of which are part of the CNIB Guide Dog Program. This is the November 15, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse o...

Naomi Schwartz from the University of Toronto discusses her research into the systemic barriers to food access, purchasing, and preparation for people with mobility disabilities. Her research debunks commonly held myths and encourages us to think about the relationship between place and questions of food security. This is the November 14, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI...

David Davis discusses his book Wheels of Courage: How World War II Veterans Invented Wheelchair Sports, fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation. The conversation highlights the determination of returning veterans to beat the odds and change perceptions of disability both on and off the court. This is the November 8, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media...

Jaclyn Siegel of Western University discusses her research into the impact of the pandemic on people with eating disorders. COVID-19 has created unique challenges, including access to treatments for people with eating disorders. Jaclyn encourages us to rethink our messages about body weight and image. This is the November 7, 2020 episode Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media com...

The controversy within the disability community rages on. We speak to Jason LeBlanc, an independent researcher who is in favour of MAID and Taylor Hyatt of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, who is opposed to Bill C-7. This is the November 1, 2020, episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities th...

Canada’s Bill C-7 is currently being debated in parliament. It would substantially widen the scope for medically assisted dying in Canada. Patricia Hughes, founding executive director of the Law Commission of Ontario, explains the history of MAID. Yves Giroux, Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer, discusses his office’s recent report on the fiscal impact of Bill C-7. This is the October 31, 2020,...

Disability advocate Donna Jodhan of Barrier-Free Canada reflects on the 10-year anniversary of her successful legal battle against the federal government. Her victory was an important step towards ensuring the government websites were accessible, usable, and navigable. Donna reflects on her journey and lessons learned. This is the October 25, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI...

To celebrate AMI’s launch of several original podcasts, we assemble a panel of avid podcasters: Amy Amantea of Accessing Art with Amy; Jennie Bovard of Low-Vision Moments, and technical producer Sam Robinson. They talk about their respective podcasts and weigh in on the question of why podcasting as a medium represents a valuable opportunity for People with Disabilities. This is the October 24, 20...

Paul-Claude Bérubé, chair of the board for Accessibility Standards Canada, discusses their recent annual report. We learn about their work and priorities in the preceding year and inquire about their research and projects in the year to come. This is the October 18, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with d...

Danielle Peers is a researcher at the University of Alberta specializing in kinesiology, and a former paralympian. They talk about their research into ways in which sports organizations can do more to create a culture of inclusion for People with Disabilities. Danielle’s research queries the imagining of disability in sport. This is the October 17, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! Abo...

Suzanne Stolz from the University of San Diego’s Department of Learning and Teaching discusses the principles of Universal Design in education. We talk about what UDL is, how it came to be, and how it can be best implemented in the classroom. This is the October 11, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with d...

Communications expert Mitchell McKinney of the University of Missouri weighs in on the first Trump-Biden presidential debate. He also discusses the history of presidential debates and considers whether or not they matter. This is the October 10, 2020 episode. Check out the Pulse on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through t...