The Pulse

Previously on the show we learned that the best way to make a game accessible is to design it that way from the ground up. But many existing games weren't developed that way. Can accessibility be built in after the fact?

Columbia University PhD candidate Brian A. Smith tells us about his creation: the Racing Auditory Display (RAD). This plug-in makes existing racing games accessible to blind and partially sighted gamers.

This is the April 3, 2018 episode.

Many people don't realize how important guide dogs can be for blind or partially-sighted people. This helps to explain why guide dog users are often denied entry to public spaces. Adding to the confusion is the use of uncertified service animals.

Kyle Rawn is a consultant with Accessibility Professionals of Ontario. He discusses some of the problems that arise from the use of uncertified service animals. We also hear from Andrew Hanlon, program manager for CNIB Guide Dogs. He tells us about the guide dog certification process.

This is the April 2, 2018 episode.

Today AMI-tv broadcasts the first Blue Jays game of the season, with live description. To celebrate, we speak with baseball expert and former Blue Jays baseball media intern Dante De Caria. He gives us the lowdown on the team and tells us what to look out for this season.

This is the March 29, 2018 episode.

The 2018 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament will take place this weekend at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. We speak with Gary Steeves, president of Canadian Blind Hockey, and player Kelly Serbu. They share their memories of previous tournaments, and they discuss the growth of blind hockey in Canada.

This is the March 28, 2018 episode.

"Over more than thirty years, the South by Southwest festival has expanded from its musical roots. Today you’ll notice a major emphasis on technology, along with some exploration of accessibility. So what can SXSW do for the world of accessible and assistive tech?

AMI’s manager of digital content, Peter Armstrong, and digital content producer Blake Van de Graaf attended the SXSW conference this year. They join us to reflect on their meetings with industry leaders and creative innovators who are bringing accessibility into the foreground.

This is the March 27, 2018 episode.

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We need to make all public and private spaces more accessible, but these changes are especially important in places of business. It's not just customers who would benefit - barriers in the workplace hurt productivity.

Rick Hansen is a Canadian disability advocate and the founder and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. He speaks with us about the economic benefits of making workplaces accessible. He also highlights a few of the findings from a new Conference Board of Canada report, which his organization funded.

This is the March 26, 2018 episode.

We encourage each other to develop hobbies because hobbies help us find balance in our lives. But sometimes they take on a life of their own.

Directors Michael McNamara and Aaron Hancox tell us about their new documentary “Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit.” The film premieres Sunday, April 1 on CBC Docs POV.

This is the March 23, 2018 episode.

A note: For podcasts from the CNIB centennial celebrations, look for the AMI-audio Live podcast feed.

Some of us love the city we’re living while others despise it. Regardless of our level of liking, every city has it flaws. So, what can we do to improve a city to make it livable for everyone?

Stephane Pressault is the program coordinator for Synapcity. He tells us how everyday citizens can be their own CityMakers, creating safer, healthier, smarter and more accessible cities for all.

This is the March 20, 2018 episode.

You don't have to be a web designer to care about web design. It affects us whether we're reading the news or looking for love. But barriers to accessibility can cut us off from the possibilities of a connected world.

We speak with Laura Kalbag, author of ""Accessibility for Everyone."" She explores how the fundamentals of web accessibility and design can create an inclusive online experience.

This is the March 19, 2018 episode.

You can celebrate St. Patrick's Day any way you want to, anywhere in the world. But there is one place that goes the extra mile: Newfoundland and Labrador.

Larry Dohey is the Secretary Treasurer for the Irish Newfoundland Association. He tells us about the history of the special holiday in the province, from drowning the shamrock to Paddy’s pot.

This is the March 16, 2018 episode.