Tag Archives: AMI-tv

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Mary Mammoliti experiences all things food with Canadian culinary creatives on Season 5 of the award-winning Dish with Mary on AMI-tv and AMI+

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From a media release:

Mary Mammoliti is sampling delicious treats while having fascinating chats with Canadian culinary pioneers. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in partnership with FRANK Digital, is thrilled to announce the Season 5 return of the award-winning Dish with Mary on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Mary Mammoliti—a home cook and culinary content creator who has low vision—knows her way around the kitchen and proves it during fun cook-alongs with renowned Canadian chefs. Each episode of Dish with Mary focuses on one chef and one dish, plus a lot of laughs, a bunch of tips, and tons to dish about!

Season 5 of Dish with Mary debuts Wednesday, February 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and can be streamed on demand for free on AMI+.

“To me cooking should be fun and finding ways to make it accessible is what motivates me,” Mary Mammoliti says. “I look forward to viewers joining me on my adventure across Canada where I connect with culinary celebrities and hear their stories.”

The Canadians Mary cooks alongside in Season 5 of Dish with Mary are Jenna Hutchinson and Ashley Kosowan, the owners of Jenna Rae Cakes; Chef Carlo Guzzi of Carlo’s Cucina; Chef Eden Hrabec of Crazyweed Kitchen; Chef Danny Beaulieu of Ånkör; Chef Phil Tees of Bluebird Wood-Fired Steakhouse; Jackie Wild and Agustin Doming, the team behind Tito Boy Restaurant; Chef Tracy Little of Sauvage; and Chef Fabrizio Rossi of Vida Cucina. The recipes featured in each episode will be made available post-broadcast at AMI.ca.

Additionally, in-depth conversations between Mary and the trailblazers of the Canadian culinary industry reveal how and why they entered this world and the passion that keeps them cooking.

The first two of eight Season 5 episodes include:

Wednesday, February 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern — “Jenna Rae Cakes”
Mary Mammoliti travels to Winnipeg to meet with twin sisters Jenna and Ashley, the owners of Jenna Rae Cakes. Together, they create showstopping cupcakes and cookie sandwiches that make their bakery stand out.

Wednesday, March 5, at 9 p.m. Eastern — “Carlo’s Cucina”
Mary heads to Winnipeg Beach to meet Chef Carlo, a multiple Le Burger Week winner. They embark on an adventure before crafting one of Carlo’s renowned burgers in the kitchen.

Dish with Mary was recently named “Best in Canada” by The Taste Awards, which celebrates the year’s best in food, fashion and lifestyle programs on television, in film, online, streaming and on radio.

About Mary Mammoliti
Mary Mammoliti is a Toronto-based food writer and cook behind the Kitchen Confession. She works as a freelance recipe curator, radio and TV personality, food blogger and amateur food photographer. She is a regular contributor to AMI’s weekday audio series Kelly & Company.

Educating and speaking about vision loss is Mary’s passion, inspiring others to find their light of happiness is what drives her.

Season 5 of Dish with Mary debuts Wednesday, February 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream past episodes and seasons of Dish with Mary on AMI+.

About FRANK Digital
FRANK Digital is a Winnipeg-based video production and post-production studio. They produce award-winning commercials, corporate films and series with their talented team of editors and animators. They are one of Manitoba’s largest digital production companies, providing all equipment and expertise in-house.

About Accessible Media Inc.
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.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Refreshing new doc series Get Hooked casts off old stereotypes to highlight the healing power of fishing, March 17 on OUTtv, OUTflix and AMI+

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From a media release:

This isn’t your dad’s fishing show. A thought-provoking and barrier-breaking new six-part documentary series, Get Hooked (6×30) is an invitation to explore diverse joy in nature and redefine what it means to fish. Co-commissioned by OUTtv and Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), the series is created by Heidi Lynch (showrunner of Avocado Toast the series and Series Mania “Canada’s Producers to Watch” 2024) and Leah Vlemmiks (“Tesfay” music video by Witch Prophet), directed by Vlemmiks, and produced by Lynch through Bone Vault Inc.

Get Hooked premieres Monday, March 17 on AMI+ (Canada), OUTtv.com (Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand), and OUTflix.com (UK, Ireland, and Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland via Allente). In Canada, viewers can also catch the series weekly on both AMI-tv and OUTtv broadcast channels, beginning Monday, March 24 at 9 p.m. ET.

“For too long, the outdoors – and fishing in particular – has only been marketed to one specific group of human beings,” said Lynch. “We want to showcase a different side of the fishing world – one that welcomes diversity, queerness, and the power of simply being present in nature for the good of our collective mental health. Get Hooked is funny, heartfelt, and deeply personal, and we hope it inspires people to find their own healing connection to the natural world.”

Get Hooked follows a Canadian angling guide per episode sharing their use of fishing as a lifeline for mental well-being with a group of queer, comedic outsiders. Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Ontario landscapes, each episode is more than just a fishing story – it’s a celebration of resilience, identity, and the healing power of nature. But as these anglers find solace on the water, the series asks a crucial question: why isn’t this access available to everyone?

“At its heart, Get Hooked is about how a shared passion can be a great connector – to nature, to each other, to ourselves,” added Lynch. “This series challenges outdated ideas of who belongs in outdoor spaces and highlights the joy, humour, and healing that come from casting a line in good company. In the divisive place we currently find ourselves, connection is a breath of fresh air. Get Hooked will always include great men as part of the story, but told through a different gaze than you normally see in fishing documentaries and shows.”

Bringing a unique and diverse mix of lived experiences, perspectives, and personalities, the captivating cast of anglers featured in the series are Demiesha Dennis (founder/director of Brown Girl Outdoor World), Dave Furgoch (organizer for the Blind Anglers International Tournament), Lisa Goodier (guide at the Ottawa River Musky Factory), Rosie Jones (comedian/actor/author), Rick Klatt (The Last Cull, participant in the Blind Anglers International Tournament), Frank Leaney (program coordinator and addictions counsellor at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health), Christine Luckasavitch (owner/executive consultant of Waaseyaa Consulting), Faye Marsay (actor, Game of Thrones, Andor), Emily O’Brien (founder of ComeBack Snacks), SJ Todd (founder/creative director of SJT Studio), Kenneth Tse (science teacher and fishing guide), Emma Tweddle (co-owner of Brain Box Studios), and Vik Watson (co-owner/graphic designer of Brain Box Studios).

Additionally, the Get Hooked companion podcast (6×20) for OUTtv and AMI launches on April 17, exploring how we, as society, can make the mental health benefits of the outdoors more accessible to the LGBTQ+, disability, and BIPOC communities. In each episode, series creator Heidi Lynch sits down with notable game changers and community creators about fishing, nature, hunting, or travel. Guests include Faye Marsay, actor Verada Sethu (Andor, Doctor Who), singer-songwriter Christa Couture (Postcards From), Amie Battams (Fishing Whilst Gay), and Nicole Moore (Shooting Girl With An Afro). Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Get Hooked was developed with the support of the Telus Fund, Bell Fund, Ontario Creates, AMI, OUTtv, Destination Canada, and Ottawa Tourism, with special thanks to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Algonquin Outfitters.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Get ready to laugh again! AMI’s second All Access Comedy special debuts February 7 on AMI-tv and AMI+

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From a media release:

After a successful first All Access Comedy, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and Pilot Light Productions, in association with Ha!ifax ComedyFest, are excited to announce the second special—hosted by international comic superstar D.J. Demers—debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

All Access Comedy is a stand-up special like no other, with comedians from the disability community coming together to celebrate their unique outlook on life for a packed audience of all abilities.

What is it like to use hearing aids? What are the challenges associated with cerebral palsy? What is it like to navigate the world when you are blind? What is it like to process life on the Autism Spectrum? All Access Comedy answers these questions and many more. The performances are observational, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny.

All Access Comedy is hosted by JUNO-nominated stand-up comedy veteran D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan), who starred in his own AMI/CBC series One More Time, currently available on AMI+, in 2024. When he’s not busy with TV projects, Demers tours extensively on the comedy club circuit in both Canada and the U.S.

All Access Comedy features performances by Ontario comic and motivational speaker Michael McCreary, who started performing at 12 years of age, channeling his experiences on the Autism Spectrum into comedy gold; Toronto-based comedian Joze Piranian, originally from Lebanon, who jokes that as a child, his speech impediment obliged him to stutter in four different languages; Toronto writer and performer Dan Barra-Berger, who knows what it’s like to navigate Canada’s biggest city using a white cane; and New York City-based American comedian Tina Friml, who started her career at small-town comedy clubs in Vermont and now tours extensively, including appearing on network late-night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

All Access Comedy was recorded in front of a live audience at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax as part of the 2024 Ha!ifax ComedyFest. Arrangements were made to meet the needs of the diverse audience in attendance. Rows of seats were removed to create prime viewing spots for wheelchair users. A simultaneous subtitling system (CART) was provided on-site to assist Deaf and/or hard of hearing audience members. To accommodate American Sign Language users, a live ASL interpreter was on stage. The live production was overseen by a professional Accessibility Coordinator at both the planning and execution stages.

All Access Comedy debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Stream the first All Access Comedy special anytime, for free, on AMI+.

All Access Comedy is produced by Halifax-based Pilot Light Productions.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Access Tech Live: Tech Discussions from a Disability Perspective

Guest post by Jeff Graham

In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, staying informed about the latest gadgets and innovations is essential. However, for individuals with disabilities, understanding how these advancements fit into their lives is even more crucial. “Access Tech Live,” a groundbreaking TV show on AMI-tv bridges this gap by exploring technology from a disability perspective.

What to Expect from Access Tech Live
Hosted by the dynamic duo of Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo, “Access Tech Live” dives into major tech news, discussing phones, tablets, and other devices while keeping in mind the question, “How would someone with a disability use it?” This unique perspective ensures that the show not only highlights new technologies but also evaluates their accessibility and practical use for people with disabilities.

Each episode features hands-on demos, thorough product reviews, and insightful discussions. The show also brings in voices from the disability community, including individuals who share how new and existing tech aids them in their daily lives. By speaking with key figures from startups to tech giants like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Amazon, Honda, and Ford, “Access Tech Live” offers a comprehensive view of the tech landscape.

When and Where to Watch
“Access Tech Live” airs live every Thursday at noon ET on AMI-tv. If you miss the live broadcast, don’t worry—reruns are available multiple times throughout the week. Additionally, the show is streamed across all major social platforms, ensuring you can tune in from anywhere.

Bringing the Show to Major Tech Events
The show’s reach extends beyond the studio, as Steven and Marc bring “Access Tech Live” to significant events like CES, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, and the Zero Project Conference. They also cover major industry announcements and conferences such as Apple’s WWDC, Google I/O, Microsoft Build, and more. This on-the-ground coverage provides viewers with the latest updates and exclusive interviews from the heart of the tech world.

Noteworthy Interviews from Season 1
Season 1 of “Access Tech Live” featured a stellar lineup of interviews with industry leaders and influencers, including:

  • Jay Blahnik, Head of Apple Fitness+
  • Sarah Herrlinger, Head of Accessibility at Apple
  • Christopher Patnoe, Google’s Head of Accessibility
  • Hector Minto, Dave Dame, and Jason Brommett from Microsoft’s accessibility team
  • Celine Lee from Amazon
  • Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer
  • Philip Rizcallah, CEO of Accessibility Standards Canada
  • Caroline Casey, Founder of The Valuable 500
  • Influencers like Madison Tevlin and Molly Burke
  • Game development companies, including Xbox

These conversations delve into how these leaders and companies are working to make technology more inclusive and accessible.

A Platform for Important Stories
“Access Tech Live” stands out as one of the few weekly shows dedicated to discussing technology through the lens of accessibility. By telling important stories and shining a spotlight on the work being done to level the playing field, the show addresses topics that many are hesitant to explore. The hosts ask the hard questions, ensuring that the discussions are not only informative but also transformative.

“Tech has the power to break down barriers, promote independence, and enhance accessibility, which can be life-changing for many people.” says host, Marc Alfalo. “By focusing on this perspective, I aim to raise awareness, inspire innovation, and advocate for more inclusive designs. This show is not just about showcasing technology; it’s about fostering a more inclusive society where everyone can benefit from technological advancements.”

Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a person with a disability, or someone interested in the intersection of technology and accessibility, “Access Tech Live” offers valuable insights and information. Tune in to join the conversation and see how technology can truly be inclusive for all.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

AMI-tv announces second season of Access Tech Live

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is thrilled to announce the renewal of its hit AMI-tv show, Access Tech Live, for a second season. Hosted by Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo, Access Tech Live focuses on the intersection of technology and accessibility.

Following an incredibly successful first season, Access Tech Live has become a platform for important conversations about accessibility and inclusivity. The show has featured interviews with some of the biggest names in tech, including Jay Blahnik, Vice President of Fitness Technologies at Apple; Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer; Caroline Casey, founder of The Valuable 500; Google’s Head of Accessibility and Disability and Inclusion, Christopher Patnoe; and Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director of Global Accessibility at Apple; amongst many others.

Access Tech Live‘s mission is to tell tech stories from the point of view of people with disabilities and has had important conversations around Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Autism Awareness Month and Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

The show has broadcast live from locations around the globe, including CES 2024 in Las Vegas, the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, CES Unveiled in Amsterdam, the CSUN Conference in California, and, most recently, a special episode for International Albinism Awareness Day in Halifax.

“We aren’t afraid to push the boundaries on the places we go and conversations we have,” says host Steven Scott.

“Access Tech Live has connected with AMI-tv viewers in an unprecedented way,” says John Melville, Vice-President of Content Development and Operations of AMI-tv/AMI-audio. “We’re looking forward to a new season of Steven and Marc’s conversations discussing how technology can benefit people of all abilities.”

Stay tuned for more exciting discussions and interviews in the second season of Access Tech Live, only on AMI-tv. Stream past episodes for free and on demand at AMI+.

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