The Pulse

Grant Hardy hosts The Pulse, and speaks with Dilshad Kassam-Lallani, and Wesley Magee-Saxton from Holland Bloorview Kid’s Rehabilitation Hospital about the “Turning 18 isn’t so sweet: the critical gaps in health care for young adults with disabilities” report, part of their bigger advocacy campaign called “No Piece of Cake.”  The report highlights the systemic change that is needed to support pati...

Joeita interviews Arthur Gwynne, operations manager at RAMPD, the Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities, about creating disability-inclusive spaces in the performing arts. Highlights Disability Inclusion in the Performing Arts - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Arthur Gwynne – Head of Operations at RAMPD (01:11) About RAMPD - Recording Artists and Music Professionals with...

Joeita interviews Darryl Adams, Director of Accessibility at Intel, about his journey with accessible technology and his predictions about AI as a vehicle for disability inclusion.  Highlights: Disability, Access & Technology - Opening Remarks (00:00) Darryl Adams, Director of Accessibility at Intel (01:13) Computer Architecture, Hardware & Accessibility (01:29) Darryl’s Journey with Intel and Acc...

This week, Joeita interviews Kendall Soucie, director of the HEAL Lab at the University of Windsor, about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  Highlights Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis (PCOS) - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Kendall Soucie – Director of the HEAL Lab (01:05) What is PCOS? (3:00) What Causes PCOS? (5:21) Stigma Around Women’s Reproductive Health (06:25) PCOS Impacts Beyond F...

We discuss the new Ojibwe-dubbed version of Star Wars: A New Hope with Maeengan Linklater, Operations Director of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, and Michael Kohn, Director of Distribution Operations for Lucasfilm.  The interview discusses why projects like these are so important to the revitalization of Indigenous languages.  Highlights: The Preservation of Indigenous Languages - Opening Remar...

This week, Joeita speaks to Cameroon-based disability rights activist, journalist, and lecturer Kesah Princely Nfortoh about the impact of the country's civil war on People with Disabilities in Cameroon and the importance of involving People with Disabilities in the peace process.  Highlights Disability, War & the Peace Process - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Kesah Princely Nfortoh (01:10) T...

This week, Joeita speaks to Ely Tee, founder of "Gimping", a Facebook group about camping and outdoor activities for People with Disabilities. Highlights Making the Outdoors Accessible - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Ely T & “Gimping” (01:04) Starting the “Gimping” Facebook Group for Adaptive Camping & Outdoorsing for People with Disabilities (02:32) Accessible Camping Tips & Tricks (03:16)...

This week Joeita speaks to blind YouTuber Sam Seavey, creator of the Blind Life YouTube channel. Highlights Blindness & Technology - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Sam Seavey – YouTuber & Host of the Blind Life (01:13) Growing the Channel & Standing Out from the Crowd (03:06) Knowing Your Audience (04:51) Latest Tech Developments for the Blind (05:56) Applications of AI (08:18) Ethics of Adop...

We preview the Desiring Autism and Neurodivergence Symposium with Patty Douglas,Associate Professor of Disability Studies & Chair of Student Success and Wellness at Queen's University & Metis Beadworker & Visual Artist Claire Johnston. Highlights: Autism & Neurodiversity in Educational Settings - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Patricia Douglas - Associate Professor of Disability Studies & Cha...

Joeita speaks to blind filmmaker James Rath about his journey in film production and direction. Part 2 of a 2-part series.  Highlights Blindness, the Gaze & Filmmaking - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing James Rath - Legally Blind Film Director, Accessibility Advocate & Speaker (01:56) Becoming a Blind Filmmaker (02:20) The Impact of YouTube (04:49) Using a Camera & Editing Video as a Blind Pers...

Joeita speaks to scriptwriter and disabled TV producer Ophira Calof about the Disabled Producers Lab a new program designed to teach production skills to disabled women and trans creators. Part 1 of a 2 part series.  Highlights Disability Stereotypes - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Ophira Calof – Writer, Performer & Facilitator (01:54) Cripping the Script (04:00) Shifting Our Structures (05:...

Joeita speaks to sex educator and host of AMI-tv's "That Sex Show," Rachele Manett, about how parents and caregivers of youths with disabilities can have meaningful conversations about sex, sexuality and gender identity. Highlights Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Rachele Manett (01:30) KNEDS - Knowledge Network of Expertise in Disability and Sexuality (03:32) Disability, Sexuality, and the Rol...

Joeita speaks to blind self-defence instructor and Brazilian Ju-jitsu practitioner Jim Turk about the relationship between martial arts and self-confidence for People with Disabilities.   Highlights The Benefits of Self-Defence - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Jim Turk, Martial Artist & Self-Defence Instructor (01:56) Practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (02:53) Learning Martial Arts as a Blind Stu...

Joeita speaks to Devon Healey, assistant professor of disability studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, about her research into the dramatization and perception of blindness in theatre.   Healey is also an award-winning actor, co-founder of Peripheral Theater and the author of “Dramatizing Blindness: Disability Studies as Critical Creative Na...

Joeita speaks to Hubert van Niekirk, Executive Director of Every Canadian Counts, about a campaign to create a National Disability Insurance Plan in Canada.  Highlights Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Hubert Van Kiekerk, Executive Director for Every Canadian Counts (01:25) The Proposed National Disability Insurance Plan (02:56) Potential Impact of Plan for Canadians with Disabilities (03:54) R...

Joeita previews Season 5 of AMI-tv's "Postcards from..." with the show’s new host, Author & Artist Christa Couture. Christa discusses her travels to various parts of Canada, the challenges of travelling with a prosthetic, and the joy of exploring new places with all 5 senses.  Highlights: Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Christa Couture – Writer, Musician, Broadcaster (01:19) About AMI-tv’s “Po...

Joeita discusses tips and tricks for blind home cooks with Renee Rentmeester, executive producer of the "Cooking Without Looking" TV show and podcast. She shares safety tips as well as accessible tricks of the trade. Highlights Cooking & Blindness - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Renee Rentmeester of “Cooking Without Looking” TV Show and Podcast (01:10) About “Cooking Without Looking” (02:29)...

Joeita speaks with Kate Mann, Associate Professor Cornell University's Sage School of Philosophy & author of "Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia," which draws on personal experience & rigorous research to expose how size discrimination harms everyone, and how to combat it.  Highlights The Insidiousness of Fatphobia - Opening Remarks (00:00) Society’s Fixation on Weight & the “Ideal Body” (01:07) I...

Joeita speaks to Danielle Kaftarian, Executive Director of the Period Purse, about menstrual equity and what needs to change to ensure that all people who menstruate have access to period products.  Highlights Period Poverty & Menstrual Equity - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Danielle Kaftarian, Executive Director of the Period Purse (01:22) Importance of Discussing Menstrual Equity & Period...

Joeita speaks to financial advisor Ron Malis about estate planning and financial management for a child with a disability.   Highlights Financial Planning for a Child with a Disability - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Ron Malis, Financial Advisor & Founder of Reegan Financials (01:08) Getting Started Working with People with Disabilities (02:08) When Do Parents Typically Start Planning for th...

Joeita speaks disability lawyer Sivan Tumarkin of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP about long-term disability claims and how to apply for them. Highlights The Ins and Outs of Long-Term Disability Claims – Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Sivan Tumarkin, disability lawyer and the National Co-Managing Partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP (01:14) What is Long-Term Disability and Who is Eligible? (02:14) Difference...

Joeita speaks with Beth Beattie and Carole Dagher about their new book “The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in the Legal Profession” which discusses mental health and well-being amongst legal professionals.  Highlights Mental Health Within the Legal Profession – Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Beth Beattie & Carole Dagher (01:29) “The Right Not to Remain Silent: The T...

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Health Equity 00:52 Barriers Faced by People with Disabilities 06:07 The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity 07:30 Addressing Health Inequities Highlighted by COVID-19 09:39 Tackling Health Equity in the Canadian Healthcare System 11:02 Understanding Sustainable Community Well-being 15:29 Taking a Critical Disability Lens in Healthcare 16:28 The Right...

Joeita speaks with Dominic Roberts, author of a new book of poetry "Blinded by the Write: Poems from a Twisted Mind" in which he discusses his vision loss journey. Highlights: The Emotional Landscape of Blindness - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introduction – The Pulse Home Studio (01:14) Introducing Dominic Roberts, Poet and Author of “Blinded by the Write: Poems from a Twisted Mind” (4:22) Writing Pro...

Joeita speaks to Carli Friedman of the University of Washington about disability and intimacy.  Highlights: The Value of Intimate Relationships - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Carli Friedman, Director of research for the Council on Quality and Leadership (01:09) Studying Disability & Intimacy (02:17) Defining Intimacy (03:26) Benefits of Having Intimate Relationships (04:01) Barriers to Clos...