The Pulse

Joeita speaks to Andrew Leland about his book "The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight" Highlights: “What is Blindness?” - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Andrew Leland, Author of “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight” (01:14) About H.G. Wells’ “The Country of the Blind” Short Story (01:57) Memoir Writing Process (04:12) Curiosity in Exploring Vision Loss (06:3...

Joeita discusses emergency preparedness for people with disabilities with Kaitlynne Lowe, Policy Researcher at MacEachen Institute for Public Policy at Dalhousie University.   From Emergency Supply Kits and Vulnerable Person’s Registries to accessibility barriers in transportation and housing, people with disabilities are often especially vulnerable during a crisis, disaster, or emergency. Highlig...

In the third of three episodes on Accessible Fashion, Joeita speaks to Alexa Jonovavic, founder of Aille Design, a brand featuring clothing with Braille beadwork. Alexa dives into her collaborative process with members of the blind and partially sighted community. Plus, a fascinating exploration of the relationship blind women have with colour.   Highlights: “So Much More Than Clothing” - Opening...

In the second of three episodes on Accessible Fashion, Joeita speaks to Wendy Wong, founder of June Adaptive on her creative choice and journey. Wendy discusses the practicalities of getting her business off the ground, including obtaining feedback from People with Disabilities.     Highlights: “Adaptive Clothing for People of All Abilities” – Opening Clip (00:00) “You Are What You Wear” - Opening...

In the first of three episodes on Accessible Fashion, Joeita speaks to  Izzy Camilleri, the founder of IZ Adaptive, a clothing brand that provides accessible fashions for people with disabilities.  We discuss her foray into inclusive fashion and design at a time when no one was talking about it. She discusses how her desire to create clothes that are functional, as well as beautiful, changed the c...

This week, Joeita speaks to Jacqueline Alnes, author of The Fruit Cure: the Story of Extreme Wellness Turned Sour - "an unforgettable deep dive into the world of fruitarianism". Highlights: Excerpt from “The Fruit Cure” by Jacqueline Alnes (00:00) Opening Remarks “Disability & Wellness Culture” (00:43) Jacqueline Alnes Introduction (01:58) About her book “the Fruit Cure” (02:24) Combining an Autob...

We continue our annual Christmas story tradition with O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi, read by Andy Lehrer. "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in the New York Sunday World on December 10, 1905.  Highlights: “Holiday Tradition” - Opening Remarks (00:00) Introducing Andy Lehrer (01:02) About “Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (02:19) “Gift of the Magi” read by Andy Lehre...

Joeita speaks with Ashley Nemeth about her journey as a blind parent raising three children. Guest Bio:  Ashley Nemeth is vocal advocate breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. Ashley identifies as a deafblind woman sharing her story, educating and changing opinions on the importance of accessibility for all.  Highlights: “How Can You Manage?” - Opening Remarks on Parenting (00:00) In...

Joeita speaks with Rod Michalko about his book "Letters with Smokie" discussing blindness and what it can reveal about the relationship between humans and animals.  About “Letters with Smokie”  From University of Manitoba Press :  Leave it to a dog to put the “human” back in “humanities” In September 2020, Rod Michalko wrote to friend and colleague Dan Goodley, congratulating him on the release of...

Dr Ann Leahy, a PhD graduate of Maynooth University Sociology Department, recently published her new book Disability & Ageing: Towards a Critical Perspective.  This book challenges assumptions about impairment in later life and the residual nature of the ‘fourth age’. It proposes that the experience of ‘disability’ in older age reaches beyond the bodily context and can involve not only a challenge...

Joeita speaks about "Affective Ablenationalism" with Anastasia Todd from the University of Kentucky. SUMMARY An in-depth conversation about disability and ablenationalism, exploring how disabled individuals are often coded as able-bodied in the imagined community of the nation.  Using the story of Trevor Maroshek, a former Navy SEAL, and his service dog, Chopper as a case study, we examine the con...

Joeita speaks to Paralympic Cross-Country Skiier and gold medalist Natalie Wilkie. This is the third of a three part series profiling the 2023 inductees to the Canada Disability Hall of Fame. Synopsis This episode of The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta and guest, King Clancy Award winner and Paralympic cross-country skier, Natalie Wilkie discuss parasport and determination, highlighting the achievements...

Synopsis This episode of The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta is joined by Canada Disability Hall of Fame Inductee, Michelle Stilwell.  Together they discuss the intersection of sports, politics, and disability. The role of sports in social inclusion for people with disabilities is highlighted. Michelle also discusses her transition to wheelchair racing and her involvement in politics as a member of the L...

Synopsis On this episode of The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta sits down with renowned wheelchair basketball player and inductee to the Canada Disability Hall of Fame, Chantal Benoit.  Together, they discuss the Paralympic Games and the impact of parasport in challenging misperceptions about people with disabilities. It highlights the achievements of para-athletes and their advocacy for disability right...

Synopsis: On this episode of The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta and her guest, Max Brault, Vice President of People in Change Accessibility Consulting at BDO Canada, discuss the organization's initiatives to promote accessibility and workplace inclusion, disability and workplace inclusion, focusing on the need for employers to examine their structures, practices, policies, and processes to root out able...

Synopsis On this episode of the Pulse, Joeita and her guest Angela Harris, discuss the intersection of disability and fashion. Joeita shares her personal experience of how fashion has allowed her to take control of the narrative surrounding her blindness. Angela Harris, the founder of the IMperfeKtly Made Foundation, discusses her motivation for starting the organization and her upcoming fashion s...

Synopsis: On this episode of the Pulse, Joeita and her guest Ashley Shew discuss the concept of Techno-Ableism, which refers to the idea that technology is often seen as the solution for disability. They explore how disabled individuals are often pressured to use the latest technology and are criticized for choosing alternative options. The conversation also touches on the importance of including...

Synopsis  On this episode of the Pulse, host Joeita Gupta discusses disability identity and the book 'Dispatches from Disabled Country' by Catherine Frazee. The book is a collection of Frazee's writing over the years, exploring themes such as disability rights, identity, human rights, and the relationship between disability and the medical world. Frazee discusses the evolution of the disability ri...

In this episode Joeita is joined by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser. They discuss the ableism and misconceptions surrounding disabilities in religious communities. Julia, who is a rabbi and scholar, emphasizes the importance of loving and embracing oneself as a disabled person in a world that often devalues and stigmatizes disabilities. They also explore the need for religious communities to move away fr...

What is Crip Animation and how does it challenge ableist perceptions?   On this episode of The Pulse with Joeita Gupta, Joeita welcomes Slava Greenberg. The two discuss how animation can subvert norms and challenge ableist perceptions, inviting audiences to rethink their understanding of disability. Slava Greenberg, the author of 'Animated Film and Disability: Cripping Spectatorship', explains tha...

This week, Joeita speaks to Ahmed Habib, an accessibility consultant based out of Doha, Qatar about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the legacy of access left behind by the game. This is the September 16, 2023 edition   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 — AMI-tv and AMI-aud...

This week, Joeita speaks to Patty Douglas, inaugural Chair of Student Success at Queen's University about disability-inclusive approaches to higher education. This is the September 9, 2023 edition 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 — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and A...

This week, Joeita speaks to Lydia XZ Brown about disability and transnational adoption. This is the August 31, 2023 edition 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 — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establi...

This week, Joeita speaks to inclusivity coach and social justice activist Annahid Dashtgard about "Bones of Belonging" her collection of essays exploring being a woman of colour. This is the August 24, 2023 edition 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 — AMI-tv and AMI-audi...

This week, Joeita speaks to author Rena Lipiner Katz about her new book "A Life Inherited: Unraveling the Trauma of a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor".This is the August 17, 2023 edition 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 — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-té...