Tag Archives: AMI TV

Canadian Paralympian Stephanie Dixon joins AMI-tv’s Mind Set Go roster

From a media release:

Anaïd Productions is excited to announce that Accessible Media Inc.’s documentary series Mind Set Go begins production on eight new episodes this week in Vancouver.

For this third season on AMI-tv, acclaimed Paralympic medalist Stephanie Dixon joins the team as the series’ lead expert.  Dixon is a retired Canadian swimmer who is considered one of the world’s best and is leading Canada at the Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as chef de mission. Born missing her right leg and hip, Dixon began swimming at the age of two and went on to win 19 Paralympic medals, seven of which are gold.

Each episode of Mind Set Go chronicles the three-month journey of individuals living with injury, disability or chronic pain, as they push the limits of their physical and mental barriers to lead a healthy, fit life.  Along their journey, participants meet with Dixon and other top Canadian Paralympic athletes who provide a clearer understanding of the obstacles the participants face, and what it will take to overcome them.

Mind Set Go is supported by the Canadian Paralympic Committee for its role in showcasing the successes of Paralympic athletes. The program is broadcast on AMI-tv and features Integrated Described Video (IDV), making it accessible to audience members who are blind or partially sighted. Mind Set Go also airs on Victoria, B.C.,-based CHEK-TV.

Anaïd Productions is filming all episodes in locations around Vancouver from now until November 2019. Participants have been selected from around the Lower Mainland, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Squamish. Season 3 participants and Paralympic athletes will be announced at a later date.

Mind Set Go is developed and produced by Anaïd Productions in association with Accessible Media Inc. with the participation of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Media Fund, Rogers Telefund, and the Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC. Assistance was also provided by the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

The first two seasons of Mind Set Go are available to stream online at AMI.ca or on the AMI-tv app.

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Confronting prejudices and breaking down societal taboos, You Can’t Ask That debuts June 20 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Why are you blind? Do you ever use your disability to skip the line? What’s wrong with your face? Can you have sex? They’re the questions we’re sometimes afraid to ask. But they are asked—and answered—on You Can’t Ask That.

Debuting Thursday, June 20, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, the eight-part documentary You Can’t Ask That, from Pixcom Productions, confronts prejudices and breaks down societal taboos in an authentic and relatable way. Each week, Canadians with disabilities—whether they are blind, wheelchair users, little people or have a physical or neurological condition—read questions from an anonymous public out loud before answering them. Looking directly down the camera lens, the answers may be funny, serious or sad, but they are delivered honestly and candidly.

The English-language version of You Can’t Ask That follows the French-language Ça ne se demande pas, which premiered on AMI-télé this past winter.

In Episode one, viewers meet participants from across the country who share their challenges, frustrations and benefits related to being wheelchair users. Future instalments of You Can’t Ask That explore blindness, little people, facial differences, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, You Can’t Ask That utilizes Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make episodes accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Season one episodes of You Can’t Ask That air Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv beginning June 20. The series can be watched post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or via the free AMI-tv App.

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Summer at Accessible Media Inc. is heating up! AMI-tv announces exciting original series and documentaries

From a media release:

Summer at Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is hotter than ever! Today, AMI-tv unveiled new original and acquired television series and documentary programming to entertain and inform Canadians of all abilities in the coming weeks.

Additionally, AMI is excited to announce Season three of Mind Set Go begins filming soon, and Anaïd Productions is casting new participants. The series—featuring Canadians transforming their lives physically, emotionally and mentally with help from Paralympians—seeks individuals of all ages and abilities to share their life-changing journey. Those who are interested, and live in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland area, can send a recent photo and paragraph about themselves to casting@anaid.com. Casting closes May 25.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, AMI’s original series and documentaries utilize Integrated Described Video (IDV) so they are accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Highlights of AMI-tv’s upcoming summer programming include:

Sea School Marine Science Camp (Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Eastern)
AMI This Week Bureau Reporter Grant Hardy joins a group of blind and partially sighted high school students as they travel to the remote village of Bamfield, B.C., to learn about the sea—and the world beneath its waves—at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

Level Playing Field (Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. Eastern)
Hosted by Greg Westlake, Level Playing Field showcases and celebrates the power of sport by introducing audiences to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. In Episode 2 of this AMI original, viewers meet Keely Shaw, who had a promising future in hockey until a brain injury almost robbed her of everything. Keely openly discusses dealing with partial paralysis and an eating disorder on the road to becoming one of the Top 5 Para-cyclists in the world.

The Systemic Effect (Saturday, June 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern)
How important is the link between oral health and general overall well-being? Interviews with accomplished oral health care practitioners reveal that treating the neglected oral health care of elderly residents brings both challenges and positive results. The findings uncovered in The Systemic Effect can set Canada’s course towards better, more economical health care and longer, healthier lives. The Systemic Effect is produced by Thomega Entertainment Inc. in association with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition.

Accidental Activist (Friday, June 21, at 7 p.m. Eastern)
Accidental Activist is an in-depth and captivating look at the life of Paul Vienneau, one of Halifax’s most compelling and effective disability advocates. The original documentary charts Paul’s journey from injury to recovery and disability rights activism. Through intimate interviews with Paul, his friends, family and fellow activists, the documentary paints an unflinching portrait of a complicated man who unintentionally discovered his true calling and has had a huge impact on his community.

Sound Insight (Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. Eastern)
Sound Insight explores the impact sound has on the lives of people with disabilities. Host Alex Smyth, alongside Mark Zillman and Daniel Kish, describes the different ways hearing has shaped their lives. Zillman, a piano tuner who is blind, shows how his exceptional hearing helps him keep notes perfectly accurate. Kish, who had his eyes removed in childhood, uses echolocation to “see” his surroundings. And Alex, a hearing aid user, shares growing up with hearing loss through visits to his audiologist and family.

Double Tap TV (Wednesday, July 31, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern)
Double Tap Canada is joining a new platform! Building on the popular AMI-audio brand, Double Tap TV brings the same cutting-edge discussions on everything tech, with news, reviews and interviews—all with an eye on accessibility—to television. Join hosts Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo, alongside contributors Shaun Preece, Joeita Gupta and Jennie Bovard, as they help viewers better understand how technology can help in everyday life. Produced by Marc Aflalo Communications.

The Achieveables (Friday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. Eastern)
In this project from Render Digital, a group of adventurers with disabilities challenge stereotypes through feats of courage. The group will spend three days on the Kootenay River—known for its wild rapids, changing weather and stunning scenery—to tell a story of tenacity, community, pain and triumph in the face of obstacles.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or the free AMI-tv App.

Image courtesy of Accessible Media Inc.

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Spring has sprung! AMI-tv announces exciting original series and documentaries to celebrate the season

From a media release:

The snow is melting, the days are growing longer, and Canadians are excited about the arrival of spring. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is too. Today, AMI-tv unveiled new original and acquired television series and documentary programming designed to shake off the cold, invigorate and motivate.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, the original series and documentaries utilize Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make them accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Highlights of AMI-tv’s upcoming spring programming include:

Heart to Heart (Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET)
We love a good love story and Heart to Heart has them. This AMI original special tells the tale of three couples—Olivia and Carolyn, Terry and Anne, and Brian and Krista—who all share something in common: one of the partners has a disability. Offering an honest, insightful and light-hearted dive into what love can look like, Heart to Heart proves one thing: love is awesome.

Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo (Saturday, March 16, at 9 a.m. ET)
Prepare yourself for mind and body rejuvenation through Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo. Those with all levels of mobility can join host Kevin Naidoo on a journey through thoughtful meditation and yoga practices. These will lay the groundwork for mental and physical wellness and positivity providing clarity, focus, balance, inner strength, and greater mobility. Start your day with this AMI original to see and feel a new you!

Our Community, “Paralympic Sports Association” (Thursday, March 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET)
Based in Edmonton, the Paralympic Sports Association (PSA) is a charitable, volunteer-driven organization that provides sport and recreation opportunities for children, youth, teens, adults and seniors of all abilities. In this episode of the AMI original, Our Community, participants and volunteers explain why programs like this must exist, and we explore how the Paralympic Sports Association has created a community within its walls for over 30 years.

Level Playing Field (Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. ET)
This AMI original documentary series, hosted by Greg Westlake, showcases and celebrates the power of sport by introducing audiences to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. This month we travel to Kelowna, BC, to meet Rob Shaw, an international wheelchair tennis champ from North Bay, ON, who is ranked Top 10 in the world in quad wheelchair tennis.

Without Limits: Australia (Saturday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET)
This inspiring two-part BBC documentary observes ex-army Captain Martin Hewitt as he leads a team of British and Australian ex-servicemen and women with disabilities as they embark on an extraordinary nearly 1,000-mile expedition across Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region.

Seen & Heard (Friday, May 24, at 5 p.m. ET)
Filmed in English, American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), Seen & Heard follows a troupe of actors and stage crew —who are Deaf and hearing—as they present a unique Deaf-themed version of The Little Mermaid. Many of the cast and crew have little or no theatre experience, and most of the Deaf actors use LSQ and are unfamiliar with ASL or English. Will the group unite and pull off this once-in-a-lifetime performance? The special presentation of the acquired program Seen & Heard leads into AMI-tv’s Friday night movies.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or the free AMI-tv App.

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AMI-tv re-examines the death of a young Canadian, who was blind, in What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting March 28

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announces its newest series What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting Thursday, March 28, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Holly Bartlett, a 31-year-old Dalhousie University graduate student who was blind, was found unconscious under the MacKay Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, early one morning in March of 2010. She died in hospital the next day from injuries identified as blunt force trauma, and hypothermia. While local authorities determined Holly’s death was accidental—stating she simply became disoriented and fell—there remains several unanswered questions, compelling evidence, and many theories about how she may have died.

Each of the six episodes—hosted by orientation and mobility specialist Peter Parsons—include interviews with family, friends and subject matter experts. The series uses computer animation and dramatic recreations to explore the various theories about what may have happened.

Additionally, the companion What Happened to Holly Bartlett podcast will be available on Apple iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and other podcast catchers immediately following each new television episode. Hosted by investigative journalist Maggie Rahr, the podcast digs deeper into the inquiry and paints a full picture of Holly’s life and the uncertainty surrounding her death.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, What Happened to Holly Bartlett utilizes Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make episodes accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Season one episodes of What Happened to Holly Bartlett air Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. The series can be watched post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or via the free AMI-tv App.

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