The Pulse

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

Hose Grant Hardy interview Rabia Khedr, the National Director of Disability without Poverty. When Prime Minister Mark Carney was sworn in, he slimmed down the cabinet and removed roles that were specific to people with disabilities and women and gender rights. Rabia and Grant discuss the importance of these roles in the cabinet. Find Disability Without Poverty online: https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca Disability Without Poverty (DWP) began when advocates across the country came together to work on eliminating disability poverty. Their work was immediately focussed on the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) introduced in the 2020 Throne Speech. Through DWP’s numerous petitions, open letters, Op-Eds, rallies, partnerships and non-partisan efforts, the CDB reached unanimous Royal Assent in June 2023. Our work continues in order to ensure that the CDB is a benefit that actually benefits people with disabilities by lifting them out of poverty. 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

CEO of Inclusion Alberta, Trish Bowen, joined Grant Hardy on The Pulse for a wide-ranging discussion about Inclusion Alberta’s services, cuts to their funding by the Alberta government, and the importance of family-based services for individuals in the disability community. Visit Inclusion Alberta’s website here: www.inclusionalberta.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

Dr. Jutta Treviranus is the Director of OCAD U’s Inclusive Design Research Centre and an expert in AI and ethics on AI’s societal impact. Dr. Treviranus recently gave a keynote speech at the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations building in Vienna, Austria. She also met with the European Commission regarding Canada-EU harmonization regarding AI. In this interview with Grant Hardy, Dr. Treviranus speaks about how AI is implemented in an ethical way at OCAD University to protect the artists. Plus they talk about the US and U.K. refusing to sign the global pact that will ensure AI remains inclusive, ethical, and safe. They also speak about how AI can impact accessibility, and it’s threat to an inclusive society. Listen to this full episode of The Pulse to hear this insightful conversation, and learn more about Dr. Jutta Treviranus’ work, visit the Inclusive Design Research Centre’s website here: Inclusive Design Research 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

On today’s special episode of The Pulse, we’re featuring a panel of AMI-audio hosts to talk about Orientation and Mobility Training. Host Grant Hardy invited Kelly MacDonald from Kelly and Company, and Alex Smyth from Para Sport Nation to talk about their experiences with O&M Training, where they feel they excelled in the training, practical uses of the skills they learned, and how the training could be improved. They also talked about stigmas, popular opinions on O&M, and navigating inaccessible spaces. 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

Inclusion Canada appeared before the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities review Committee at the United Nations in Geneva. Krista Carr, the CEO of Inclusion Canada, joins Grant Hardy on The Pulse to explain the slow implementation of the CRPD in Canada, the effect of Track 2 MAiD, and her experience appearing in front of the committee in Geneva. 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

Nicole Provost founded the May Day Club to create a community for neurodivergent youth to join together. Through choir practices, talent shows, music production, and more, the youth in this club gain experience working with a team, find friends, and combat loneliness. Nicole joins Grant Hardy on The Pulse to talk about the concept of the club, her experience with music, and the pride she has for the club’s success. 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

Deborah Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Community Support Association. She joined Grant Hardy on The Pulse to talk about the importance of people living independently as long as they can, home care’s effect on the workload in hospitals, and the importance of community in people’s lives. Learn more about the Ontario Community Support Association here: Ontario Community Support Association 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

Ben Fulton is a lawyer and active restorative justice advocate. In this episode of The Pulse, Ben explains what restorative justice is, cases where it is best implemented, and tells us a few stories of how participants of restorative justice methods have benefited from the concepts. Grant Hardy hosts The Pulse with new episodes twice a 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

The 2025 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge was launched at this year’s Sundance Film Festival by Nic Novicki, an actor, comedian, producer and disability advocate. Nic spoke with the host of The Pulse Grant Hardy about the impact the Film Challenge has had in it’s 12 years of existence, the importance of disability representation in film, and what he’s had to do to create roles for himself in the industry! 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

Shoko Kitano, the Executive Director of the Come to Work program at the CNIB joined Grant Hardy on The Pulse. They spoke about the development of the program, making large corporations more accessible, and the types of jobs that are available in the database. Learn more about the Come to Work program here: https://cometowork.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

Easter Seals Southern California released the “Reimagining Hollywood” report. The report covered topics like disability representation in film and TV, plus representation in the cast and crews of these projects. Nancy Weintraub is the Chief Advancement Officer of Easter Seals Southern California, and she joins host Grant Hardy on The Pulse to explain 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

In anticipation of the upcoming Ontario Provincial Election, twelve agencies from across Ontario organized a political debate on February 19th, 2025. The debate allowed representatives from each major political part to address major issues that affect the disability community. David Lepofsky, chair of the AODA Alliance and one of the organizers of the debate joined host Grant Hardy and his special guest co-host Jacob Shymanski on The Pulse after the debate. David provided an update on what the party’s platforms are on major disability issues like ODSP, housing, and social services budget cuts. Plus, at the end of the episode David, Grant, and Jacob discuss accessible voting. 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

Join Grant Hardy on The Pulse this week for an important conversation about human trafficking, with Alicia Boothe and Natasha Hercules from Peel Children's Aid Society. Learn about what human trafficking is, how to spot it, and how to assist suspected victims. Plus, Natasha and Alicia provide advice for parents and caregivers to keep their kids safe on the internet. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of human trafficking and requires support, please call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 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 Rick Hansen Foundation has opened the nominations for the Difference Maker of the Year Awards! Organized by the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program, these awards celebrate youth from ages five to eighteen who are making a positive change in their schools and communities for people with physical disabilities. Host of The Pulse, Grant Hardy, is speaking with Talina Papazian, last year’s awardee, and Teri Thorson, the manager of Rick Hansen Foundation School Program on today’s episode. Find out how to nominate a local difference maker, the positive impact these awards have on school-aged youth, and the impact that nominated projects have had on their community! 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

Grant Hardy speaks with accessibility consultant Zachary Weeks about the importance of advocacy work and Zachary's campaign Zac Sacs. Born from his mother's desire to make sure Zachary could go outside like his classmates, she created a Zac Sac out of an old sleeping bag that could fit over his power wheelchair. Zachary tells Grant how these covers have developed, and about the Zac Sac program. 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