Accessibility Ally

Join host Corrie Melanson for an enlightening discussion with Jeff Overmars, a seasoned public service professional and advocate, as they delve into the essential yet often overlooked aspects of accessible retention and career development for people with disabilities.

Jeff draws from nearly 20 years of experience in government, his role as co-chair of the Nova Scotia Disability Employee Network, and his personal perspective as an employee with low vision to unpack what truly happens after the hiring process ends.

Key topics include:

• Why retention begins on day one, and the pitfalls of assuming onboarding is “one and done”
• Moving beyond accommodations to proactive support: asking “What helps you thrive?”
• The impact of remote work flexibility and why return-to-office mandates risk excluding talented employees
• How performance planning can serve as an ongoing conversation, not just an annual review
• Introducing the “purple flag” tool to interrupt bias without shame or blame
• The role of employee resource groups in fostering culture change and collective advocacy

Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or advocate, this episode offers practical insights and relatable examples to help build workplaces where everyone can grow, contribute, and stay.

Ready to move beyond hiring and truly support career development for people with disabilities? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Erika Shea, Executive Director of New Dawn Enterprises, as they explore how one of Cape Breton’s largest community-centred employers is reimagining accessible recruitment and hiring, from the job posting to the first day and beyond.

With over 200 staff across 17 nonprofit entities, New Dawn doesn’t just fill roles; it builds community. Erika shares how the organisation has moved beyond inherited hiring norms to create processes that are transparent, flexible, and deeply human.

Key topics include:

• Why posting salary and benefits upfront attracts the right candidates, and builds trust from day one
• How a 32-hour work week with full-time pay supports whole lives, not just productivity
• The power of sending interview questions in advance and why interviews shouldn’t feel like pop quizzes
• Creating low-stakes, ongoing conversations about neurodivergence, disability, and what people need to thrive
• Why the interview itself is your first chance to show your culture, and how small gestures make a big difference
• Moving from shame to safety: how openness about disability strengthens teams and trust

Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or simply believe work should work for everyone, this episode is full of actionable ideas and refreshing honesty about building hiring practices that are not only accessible but truly welcoming.

Ready to rethink recruitment? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for a practical and inspiring conversation with Heather Wilkinson from Wonder’neath Art Society and Bianca Goh from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) as they explore what accessible customer service really means and how organisations of any size can get it right.

From a vibrant community art studio to a province-wide retailer, Heather and Bianca share real-world strategies for making every interaction welcoming, responsive, and genuinely inclusive. Whether you serve clients, customers, participants, or the public, this episode is packed with ideas you can apply right away.

Key topics include:

• How to move beyond compliance and build a culture of access, one small step at a time
• The power of low-sensory experiences, and what NSLC learned from its pilot project
• Simple adaptations that make a big difference: from rubber bands on wine bottles to foam mats for service dogs
• Why training matters, and how partnering with organisations like CNIB builds staff confidence
• Creating “accessibility guides” for your space so people know what to expect before they arrive
• How to solicit and act on feedback, turning mistakes into momentum
• The role of relationship-building in accessibility: it’s not just about the door, it’s about the dialogue

Whether you run a small nonprofit, a large public service, or a local business, this episode will leave you with actionable ideas, relatable stories, and the encouragement to start where you are and keep learning.

Ready to make your service truly accessible? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for an inspiring conversation with Kerri Jack, Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator at Recreation Nova Scotia, as they explore how communities across the province are transforming recreation spaces—and lives—through accessible design.

From Mobi-Mats on beaches to sled hockey in Cape Breton, Kerrie shares tangible, real-world examples of how Nova Scotia is leading the way in making recreation truly for everyone. Drawing from her municipal background and provincial role, she highlights the passionate people and innovative programs breaking down barriers—one trail, park, and arena at a time.

Key topics include:

• How small towns like Sherbrooke are creating fully accessible parks, and why Welcome Park is now a national example
• The growing movement of adaptive equipment loan programs is making gear like beach wheelchairs and Hippocamps available to all
• Halifax Lancers’ therapeutic riding program, where horses become “legs”, and connection runs deep
• Training volunteers to guide blind and low-vision hikers and why immersion is key to understanding
• What it takes to achieve Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certification and why Halifax Central Library’s commitment matters
• The power of communities of practice: how recreation professionals are learning together and accelerating change
• Why inclusion isn’t just physical, it’s cultural, financial, and personal

Whether you’re a recreation professional, community planner, volunteer, or someone who loves the outdoors, this episode is packed with ideas, energy, and proof that an accessible Nova Scotia isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.

Ready to be inspired by what’s working and how you can help? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for a revealing conversation with neurodiversity advocates Keith Gelhorn, founder of Advocacy, and support worker Michelle Wood, as they explore what it truly means to build neuro-inclusive workplaces—and why it’s a win for everyone.

Drawing from lived experience and professional expertise, Keith and Michelle break down the myths, share personal journeys of late diagnosis, and offer practical strategies for employers and colleagues alike. From rethinking hiring practices to redesigning the workday, this episode is a toolkit for turning awareness into action.

Key topics include:

• What “neurodivergent” really means and why flexibility isn’t a perk, it’s a necessity
• How traditional interviews exclude talent and what to do instead
• The power of “unmasking” and creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work
• Simple workplace adjustments: quiet zones, sensory tools, body doubling, and meeting-free deep work blocks
• Why supporting neurodivergent employees isn’t just an HR issue; it’s a leadership and culture shift
• The surprising link between neurodivergence and entrepreneurship, and how to harness innovative thinking
• Navigating late diagnosis, self-advocacy, and moving from shame to strength

Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, coworker, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent journey, this episode offers empathy, insight, and actionable steps to make your workplace more inclusive and more human.

Ready to rethink how work works? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for an enlightening conversation with plain language experts Erin Casey and Catherine Buckey as they unpack why clear communication is a cornerstone of accessibility—and how it benefits everyone, every day.

Erin, a neurodivergent communicator with 30 years of experience, and Catherine, a former journalist turned accessibility advocate, dive deep into what plain language truly means—far beyond “dumbing things down.” They explore how clarity builds trust, reduces cognitive load, and ensures everyone can access the information they need to thrive.

Key topics include:

• Why plain language is more than words—it’s about format, structure, and understanding your audience
• Debunking the biggest myth: that clear communication undermines expertise
• How to test your materials with real people—including the most vulnerable users
• The surprising ways plain language saves organisations time and money
• Why internal communication sets the tone for external impact
• Practical first steps: from auditing signage to rewriting job titles in plain language
• How creating a “culture of asking” fosters psychological safety and inclusion

Whether you write reports, design websites, lead teams, or communicate with the public, this episode will change how you think about the words you use—and who they’re truly for.

Ready to make your communication more inclusive, effective, and human? Listen now.

Join host Corey for an insightful conversation with digital accessibility experts Garth Holmes, co-founder of Be Responsive Media, and Kirsten Dodd, CEO of Haynova, as they tackle one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of inclusion: making the digital world accessible to everyone.

Drawing from decades of experience in web development, design, and inclusive technology, Garth and Kirsten move beyond compliance checklists to explore the human impact of digital barriers—and how to remove them.

Key topics include:

• Why third-party tools and platforms are often the biggest roadblocks to accessibility and how to advocate for change
• The power of auditing with people who have disabilities and how it transformed the ACE Project website
• How inaccessible apps during COVID-19 put people at risk and why digital access is a matter of food security, health, and dignity
• Debunking the myth that accessibility limits creativity and how it actually strengthens your brand and user experience
• Practical, low-cost ways to start: from browser extensions like WAVE to listening to your site with a screen reader
• Why empathy, not just compliance, drives lasting change, and how to build it into your team’s process
• Where to find grants and resources in Nova Scotia to support your accessibility journey

Whether you’re a developer, designer, marketer, or business leader, this episode is packed with real stories, actionable strategies, and a clear message: digital accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for reaching and respecting your entire community.

Ready to make your digital space truly inclusive? Listen now.

Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Julie Glaser, accessibility consultant in the Annapolis Valley, and Laura Swaine, Manager of Community Programs at YWCA Halifax, as they explore how different generations are reshaping workplace accessibility, from Gen Z to Boomers.

Julie and Laura bring unique perspectives from supporting teams spanning early 20s to over 65, revealing how younger workers are entering the workforce with stronger self-awareness and clearer expectations around accommodations, while older generations are discovering new language and diagnoses later in life. Together, they unpack the tension between traditional workplace structures and emerging approaches centred on flexibility, vulnerability, and openness.

Key topics include:

• 
  Why psychological safety can't just be a buzzword and how to actually build it
• The power of occupational therapists to assess entire workplaces, not just individuals
• Employee resource groups: Why small organisations should collaborate regionally
• How Gen Z is "changing the dial" and saying "time's up" on workplace barriers
• Starting benefits day one and exploring four-day work weeks
• Why accommodations aren't a checkbox, they're an ongoing conversation
• Embedding accessibility into the building blocks of work: meetings, emails, and everyday interactions

Whether you're managing a multi-generational team, navigating your own accommodation needs, or leading organisational change, this episode offers inspiration, practical strategies, and hope for creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Join host Corrie Melanson for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Johnson, Regional Accessibility Coordinator for five Lunenburg County municipalities, and Nikki Burd, Manager of Human Resources at Stewart McKelvey, as they share practical "disability hacks" that are transforming workplaces across Nova Scotia.

Ellen shares her personal journey from navigating her first job with low vision to her current role advocating for accessibility, while Nikki offers insights from supporting nearly 700 employees across six offices in Atlantic Canada. Together, they reveal that creating inclusive workplaces doesn't require massive budgets; it requires commitment, creativity, and compassion.

Key topics include:

• Why flexible work arrangements are the ultimate accessibility solution
• Low-cost changes that signal safety: fidgets, dimmers, and wellness rooms
• Breaking down the myth that accommodations are expensive (spoiler: most aren't!)
• Starting benefits day one instead of after 90 days, and why it matters
• The power of asking "What do you need?" without making assumptions
• Representation as a "super hack" for embedding accessibility into organisational culture
• Why wellness accounts should cover art supplies, not just gym memberships

Whether you're an employer just starting your accessibility journey or an HR professional looking for fresh ideas, this episode offers actionable strategies and the reminder that mistakes are okay; what matters is taking steps forward.

Join host Corrie Melanson for an insightful conversation with Tammy Bernasky, Assistant Professor at Cape Breton University, and Tova Sherman, CEO of Reachability Association, as they explore the current state of accessibility and disability inclusion in Nova Scotia.

Tammy shares her work developing the groundbreaking Quality of Life Index for people with disabilities—a comprehensive measurement tool covering 13 domains from employment and education to economic security and democratic engagement. Meanwhile, Tova brings a grassroots perspective, discussing the realities facing the 350 clients her organisation serves annually, including the growing population of newcomers with disabilities.

Key topics include:

• 
  The persistent poverty-disability link and why economic security matters
• Debunking myths about expensive accommodations (most cost less than $500!)
• The intersectionality of disability with other marginalised identities
• Why "right person, right job" should replace traditional job descriptions
• The lingering impacts of COVID-19 on isolation and inclusion
• What gives these advocates hope for the future

Whether you're an employer, service provider, or advocate, this episode challenges you to rethink disability inclusion and move from awareness to meaningful action.