Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast

By Accessible Media Inc.

Outspoken disability rights advocate David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski welcome guests to discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs.... more

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FAQs about Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast:

How many episodes does Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast have?

The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.

Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast episodes:

February 20, 2026 Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System?
Lisa Freeman is a physician and professor who lives with chronic illness. In this episode, she illuminates the factors that lead to hospitals and medical clinics being inaccessible spaces. She also provides fantastic tips on how to advocate for yourself as a patient with a disability.
To learn more about disability barriers in the health care system and advocacy to remove and prevent these barriers, check out:
David Lepofsky’s fall 2019 lecture at Osgoode Hall Law School on disability barriers in health care:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2yuFz_z9V0&feature=youtu.be
The series of videos on the AODA Alliance website on disability accessibility issues in health care:
https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/check-out-this-new-captioned-video-series-on-tackling-the-many-disability-barriers-in-ontarios-healthcare-system/ The
final report on health care barriers by the Ontario Government’s Health Care Standards Development Committee:
https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/download-in-ms-word-format-the-final-report-of-the-health-care-standards-development-committee-recommending-what-the-promised-health-care-accessibility-standard-should-include-submitted-to-the-ford/
The AODA Alliance’s August 3rd, 2021 brief to the Health Care Standards Development Committee
https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/tell-the-health-care-standards-development-committee-if-you-support-the-aoda-alliances-recommendations-on-what-the-promised-health-care-accessibility-standard-should-include-spelled-out-in-the-aoda/ 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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
54min
January 30, 2026 Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2
In this episode, Bruce McIntosh continues his remarkable story of disability rights advocacy: The Ontario Autism Coalition’s clash with the Ontarian government over funding policies for children’s Autism therapy. This time, he highlights successes they had during Kathleen Wynne’s term as well as how they achieved those positive outcomes.
He also gives his first-hand account of a major controversy that took place in 2019, when Doug ford began his term as premiere of Ontario. Ford brazenly broke his promise to eliminate the massive wait list of children awaiting funding for therapy. Nearly a decade of progress was wiped out in a single press announcement. Bruce, who was a policy advisor for the government at the time, resigned in protest at great personal cost. The resignation became a massive story in it of itself.
Clip of “Doug Ford is a Liar” sourced from Canadian Press:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiPY2pLbXOg
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
45min
January 09, 2026 Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair Into Real Change
This episode of Disability Rights and Wrongs highlights a powerful story of advocacy that illustrates an important reality of the work of an advocate; Golden opportunities for progress can present themselves at any time.
In this case, Maayan Ziv, a respected disability rights advocate and entrepreneur, took a cross-Atlantic flight in September 2022 with her power wheelchair stowed away in the cargo hold. Despite having taken multiple measures to keep it protected during the flight, she found it mangled and destroyed on arrival. The emotional video she posted on Instagram just after the incident went viral, stirring up a media storm that finally brought attention to an issue people with disabilities know all too well: the accessibility, or lack-there-of, Canadian airlines.
Maayan lays out the many barriers she and many others face when travelling by air and reflects on the impact of the video.
Link to David's full presentation to the standing committee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5EV5zJTDDI
Link to the AODA's brief to the House of Commons:
https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aodaalliance.org%2Fwhats-new%2Fread-the-march-18-2024-aoda-alliance-brief-to-the-house-of-commons-standing-committee-on-transport-re-disability-barriers-in-air-travel-long-version%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cjacobshymanski%40ami.ca%7Ca24231fd5a2948e9ba6e08de4e39649f%7C03ac09d7988d4c2c906f5de452aa8a83%7C0%7C0%7C639034205590879241%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wMlfb%2BUx1NNinh40FEKbPTllWQhldik8DeI7GgLAoao%3D&reserved=0 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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
52min
December 19, 2025 How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 2
In this second half of the conversation David had with former Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, they combine forces to offer tips for advocates on a range of topics. This includes how to get through the door if you don’t already have a relationship with the person/office you’re looking to reach, how to compose compelling emails and even how to actually handle yourself during crucial meetings.

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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
40min
December 02, 2025 How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 1
Our hope as disability rights advocates is that the messages of our campaigns reach the desks of the decision-makers — the CEOs, organization presidents, and high-level politicians. But what does our labour and messaging look like from the other side of the desk? Today, we share a conversation David had with former Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne about what we can do to get into the busy agendas of people in high-level positions. This episode is the first of two parts with Kathleen Wynne.
Kathleen Wynne’s December 3, 2022 letter to the AODA Alliance stating what she committed to do if she were elected leader of the Ontario Liberal Party:
https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/new2012/kathleen-wynne-is-second-ontario-liberal-leadership-candidate-to-make-disability-accessibility-commitments/
Breaking News –Premier Wynne has Just Announced in the Legislature that the Ontario Government Agrees to Develop an Education Accessibility Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/breaking-news-premier-wynne-has-just-announced-in-the-legislature-that-the-ontario-government-agrees-to-develop-an-education-accessibility-standard-under-the-accessibility-for-ontarians-with/
Learn more about our advocacy on accessibility for students with disabilities
www.aodaalliance.org/education
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
44min
November 14, 2025Turning Barriers into Headlines: Practical Tips from a Veteran News Reporter
Getting media attention is an invaluable tool for disability rights advocates. Whether you’re trying to pressure your provincial/state government or a private company, the public scrutiny a high profile media piece can provide is often the decisive factor that turns an advocacy battle in your favour.
In this episode, David talks to Michelle McQuigge, a Canadian Press journalist of nearly 20 years. She is very familiar with the processes within news organizations that dictate whether or not a potential story gets published. It has to be understood that news outlets receive dozens, if not hundreds of emails with potential stories every single day. Michelle shows us how to cut through that noise by telling us how journalists think and what editors are looking for.
With the information found in this episode, disability rights advocates fighting disability barriers can confidently approach the media with compelling stories that they’ll actually want to cover.
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Email [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
46min
October 24, 2025Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 1
In this episode, you'll hear from Bruce McIntosh about a remarkable disability advocacy campaign he helped organize in the 2000s. It centred around hugely problematic, arguably unconstitutional, age cutoffs for crucial government-funded therapies for Ontario children with autism. The 26 events they put on directly led to the government backing down. While this was only one small chapter in a much larger advocacy battle, this moment showed that successes can be had when a motivated group of advocates utilizes smart strategies and clever messaging. It's great to hear disability advocacy stories that lead to real progress, but this episode is about extracting the specific elements that made the campaign successful — like creativity, a practical organizational structure, and precise messaging, among many others.
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Email [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
43min
October 03, 2025Beyond Building Codes: Designing Spaces for Everyone
Builders and architects are overwhelmingly misinformed on the realities of what it takes to make our shared spaces accessible. Why is this?
One of Canada’s top built environment accessibility experts, Thea Kurdi, makes it clear that a few persistent misconceptions continue to counter efforts to make our shared spaces fully accessible. Those misconceptions are:
- Building codes insure accessibility
- Accessible buildings will be more expensive
- Accessible buildings will be ugly
In this episode, you’ll learn why all three of these ideas are misguided and what you can do to make our shared spaces more accessible.
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Email [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
44min
September 12, 2025The 12 Year Fight for Automated Stop Announcements on the TTC
In this first episode, David Lepofsky shares one of his most impactful advocacy stories—the time he dragged the Toronto Transit Commission to the Human Rights Tribunal just so blind riders could know what subway stop they were at. Sounds simple, right? It wound up being a 12 year battle. But thanks to that fight, we now have the automated stop announcements you hear on every subway and bus in Toronto. David walks us through the struggle, the wins, and the lessons learned along the way.
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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Email [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
43min
August 28, 2025 Show Trailer
David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs. 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+
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
- Email [email protected]
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
...more
1min

FAQs about Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast:

How many episodes does Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast have?

The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.