The Pulse

Grant Hardy attended the Abilities Expo in Burnaby, BC on June 9th, 2025. Today, we’re sharing a compilation of interviews that were recorded right on the conference floor of the Abilities Expo! First up, we’re going to find out more about the Abilities Expo with the Connectra Program Coordinator, Emily Chambers. Then, Kara Stanley and Simon Paradis collaborated to write the book The Pain Project: A Couple’s Story of Confronting Chronic Pain. They joined Grant at the conference to talk about their presentation called “I’ve Been Better, I’ve Been Worse”, and how they’ve utilized music to navigate talking about traumatic injuries and chronic pain. Accessible Services at the Vancouver Public Library provide access to the library for people with mobility challenges and print disabilities. Jennifer Streckmann, the Coordinator of Accessible Services, joined Grant to share why the Library wanted to be present at the Abilities Expo. Kids Brain Health Network Investigator Dr. Stephanie Glegg joined Grant at the Abilities Expo to share some of the projects that KBHN is funding and working on. Plus, learn about the importance of physical activity from Dr. Glegg. Next Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, we’ll share more of our interviews from the Abilities Expo 2025! 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Mara Pagliaro is the 2025 Ambassador for MOVE FOR SIGHT, Fighting Blindness Canada’s fundraiser that challenges participants to move their way and raise funds for vision research. On June 22nd, 2025, Mara will be leading a walk in North York for the MOVE FOR SIGHT event. Mara shares her vision loss journey, beginning with her recent diagnosis of Stargardt’s disease, and explains how FBC has been such a crucial support as she copes with her diagnosis. Taking part in the fundraiser? Use the hashtag #MoveForSight to share how you’re moving for vision research. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

The CNIB’s Deaf Blind Community Services is marking DeafBlind Awareness Month this June with several campaigns across Canada. Grant Hardy spoke with Sherry Grabowski, the Vice President of DBCS, and Sheena Hill, the Manager of Client Engagement about their mission to “Make a Wave from Coast to Coast” this June. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

It’s time for another panel conversation on The Pulse! Grant Hardy invites the hosts of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, and the host of AMI Today and AMI Audiobook Review, Jacob Shymanski, for a conversation about assistive tech. Steven, Shaun, and Jacob share some of their favourite pieces of assistive tech, and a few things that they doubted at first, but have become integral parts of their daily lives. For more of Steven and Shaun’s perspectives on the latest tech news, listen to Double Tap at Noon Eastern on AMI-audio. Listen to Jacob Shymanski on AMI Today at 1pm Eastern and AMI Audiobook Review at 1:30pm Eastern on AMI-audio. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Krista Carr is joining us on the show again to give us an update about the recommendations for Track 2 MAiD policy changes. Back in March, Grant Hardy spoke to Krista, the CEO of Inclusion Canada, after she had appeared before the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Review Committee at the United Nations in Geneva. 2 months later, she is here to explain some of the committees’ recommendations to us. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Jessica Hall is a film maker living in Yukon, and on The Pulse she speaks with Grant Hardy about the making of her film Saturday. Saturday is a heart-warming and uplifting real-life tale of Katherine, a Whitehorse-based woman with an intellectual disability, and her close friendship with her mother Frances. Jessica was inspired by her mother and sisters’ close relationship, and tells Grant how this relationship inspired this film, and how she portrayed her familial dynamic on screen. They also discuss the importance of diversity, disability and local representation in film. You can watch Saturday, with described video available, on the NFB’s streaming platform: nfb.ca 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Jessica Slice is a disabled author, speaker, and essayist. She wrote a book called “Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World” that has been shortlisted for the J. Anthony Lukas Prize. In this book, Jessica debunks the myths and stereotypes that people with disabilities are “unfit” to care for their children. Join Jessica and Grant for an interesting conversation about parenting, attitudinal barriers in the healthcare system, and Jessica’s journey as an author. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Matthew Shaw is the Head of Accessibility Practice at the Rick Hansen Foundation. To kick off National AccessAbility Week, Matthew moderated The Power of Championing Disability Inclusion. Today on the Pulse, Matthew shares the highlights from the panel, the importance of National AccessAbility Week, and some of the other events the Rick Hansen Foundation is holding this week! 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

During National Access Ability Week at the end of May, organizations from across Canada host a variety of activities to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities. Brad McCannell is the Vice President of Access and Inclusion at the Rick Hansen Foundation, and he tells Grant about some of the different events that the Foundation will be hosting to mark NAAW. Plus, Michael Cvitkovic is the President and CEO of Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ontario. Michael is joining The Pulse to talk about the National Accessibility Week Conference that Abilities Centre is hosting from May 26th – 31st. For more information on the Rick Hansen Foundation’s webinars, you can visit rickhansen.com/NAAW To find out more about the conference from Abilities Centre, visit AbilitiesCentre.org 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Earlier in May, Grant Hardy spoke with Dr. Martin Spiro, the President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists. Dr. Spiro tells Grant about some of the events and campaigns that the CAO is running this year to mark Vision Health Month. Plus, they talk about the importance of eye exams and eye health. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Joe Devon, the co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, joins Grant Hardy on The Pulse to share information about the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Foundation! Joe speaks about the foundation’s work and expands on an exciting announcement from the foundation! 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

The accessibility app Access Now is celebrating their 10th anniversary with “AccessFest,” a free and immersive experience right in the downtown Toronto core! Host Grant Hardy learns more about they event with Maayan Ziv, the founder and CEO of AccessNow. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Approximately 20% of children in Canada will experience a mental illness, and supporting the caregivers, guardians, and parents of these children is crucial. To recognize Mental Health Week, the Ontario Caregiver Organization and Parents’ Lifeline have partnered to host a free webinar that will offer parents some resources, tips, and strategies for supporting their child with a mental illness. Catherin Shea from Parents’ Lifeline, and Amy Coupal, the CEO of Ontario Caregiver Organization, are joining Grant Hardy on The Pulse to share the details of this webinar and talk about the mental health crisis that Canadian youth are facing. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

A new report by Community Living Ontario details the disturbing treatment of students with disabilities in Ontario schools. The report, titled “Crisis in the Classroom,” provides an analysis of the Ontario School Inclusion Survey. The report’s author Shawn Pegg breaks down some of the findings with host Grant Hardy. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

The State of Mobile App Accessibility (SOMAA) report shares the findings from a study that analyzed the accessibility of 50 popular apps across five key industries – Food and Delivery, Payments, Streaming Media, Fitness, and Shopping. The report was conducted by ArcTouch, Fable, with advising from Joe Devon. Joe and Ben Ogilvie, the Head of Accessibility at ArcTouch, join Grant Hardy on The Pulse to talk about the report. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

Heather Feather is an Award-Winning Children’s Artist and Accessibility Advocate, and this month she released a new single “Happy for You” and announced a new album coming this summer called “Together.” Heather is a presenting member of the Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities and creates music for children that explores themes of disability and inclusivity. Heather is an artist living with multiple sclerosis, and she joins the show today to talk more about her music. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

On today’s episode of The Pulse, host Grant Hardy dives into a couple of discussions. First, he chats with Arne Andres, the director of community engagement at Click&Push Accessibility. The organization has been making strides in accessible navigation for people who use mobility devices. Later in the show, Grant chats with Dugald Maudsley from Elections Canada about the upcoming federal election on April 28, 2025. Dugald describes some of the resources and tools available for Canadians to cast their vote ahead of the polls as well as on election day. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email feedback@ami.ca

On April 8, all parties were called for a debate on accessibility issues in Canada ahead of the next federal election. Host Grant Hardy reviews some of the big takeaways with David Lepofsky, the chair of the AODA Alliance. Plus, we're featuring an older conversation with David Lepofsky about the importance of all candidate debates, and how minority governments can still impose change. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

The Federal Court of Appeal, in Air Canada versus Timothy Rose et al., upheld a decision ordering Air Canada to accommodate persons with disabilities who use mobility devices. The Court’s precedent-setting decision was released last month and marks a significant turning point in a fight for airline accessibility that began over eight years ago. ARCH Disability Law Centre, along with Legal Aid Ontario’s Clinic Resource Office, represented Tim to defend the Canadian Transportation Agency’s decision that it would not cause Air Canada undue hardship to substitute an aircraft. Host Grant Hard reflects on the decision with Tim Rose himself, as well as Ilinca Stefan, a Staff Lawyer at the ARCH Disability Law Centre. You can contact ARCH Disability Law Centre through the following methods: Tel: 416-482-8255 or 1-866-482-2724 TTY: 416-482-1254 or 1-866-482-2728 Email: intake@arch.clcj.ca 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca

The development of the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre in Calgary is finally becoming a reality! The National accessArts Centre has been seeking approvals for the past five years to revitalize the old Scouts Hall building where their Visual Arts programs and administrative offices are situated. Host Grant Hardy learns more about the facility from Jung-Suk Ryu, the president and CEO of the National accessArts Centre. 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 establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: @AccessibleMedia@AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio@AccessibleMediaInc@AccessibleMediaIncfeedback@ami.ca