Tag Archives: AMI

Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season four of the award-winning series Employable Me premieres June 9 on AMI-tv

Leave a comment

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced today that Season four of the award-winning series Employable Me will premiere Wednesday, June 9, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Employable Me is a moving six-part documentary series featuring job seekers who are determined to show that having a physical disability or neurological condition shouldn’t make them unemployable. Seasons one, two and three of Employable Me captured Rockie Awards for Best Lifestyle Program at the Banff World Media Festival. Additionally, Season three of Employable Me won a Diversify TV Excellence Award at MIPCOM in the Representation of Disability, Non-Scripted category in 2020 and 2016.

Produced by Thomas Howe Associates Inc. (THA), Season four of Employable Me provides an honest and emotional look at the challenges Canadians of varying abilities face in the job market. Each one-hour instalment features two job seekers who are blind, partially sighted or have a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy or Autism Spectrum Disorder as they change employers’ perceptions and possibly land a coveted job.

THA followed all safety protocols as stipulated by regional and provincial health authorities during the production of Season four.

“We are excited to introduce 12 new Canadian job seekers to the Employable Me fanbase,” says John Melville, Vice-President, Content Development and Programming, AMI-tv/AMI-audio. “We challenge employers to learn from and utilize the information presented to make their workplaces truly inclusive and diverse.”

“We thank the job seekers and their families for allowing us to tell their stories,” says Thomas Howe, President and Executive Producer at THA. “It was a challenge to film during the pandemic, and we are proud of what everyone has accomplished.”

Employable Me focuses on the strengths and talents of potential employees, with help from experts in the medical and hiring fields. Season four experts and community partners include world-renowned autism specialist Dr. Wendy Roberts, motivational speaker Tracy Schmitt and March of Dimes Canada.

Among the companies participating in Season four are Loblaws, Hamilton Conservatory of Music, Rick Hansen Foundation, The Bata Shoe Museum, My Access Masks and Heritage Toronto. Additionally, digital exclusives available at AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App for Apple and Android devices revisit past job seekers to update viewers on where they are now in their careers and offer advice on job seeking.

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

Employable Me is produced by THA in partnership with AMI and TVO, and is licensed by all3media international.

Season four of Employable Me premieres on Wednesday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET. Stream past episodes and seasons on AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App for Apple and Android devices.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Paranormal problems on Canada’s East Coast are investigated in AMI-tv’s new series Sight Seers

From a media release:

Ghostly apparitions, faulty electronics, shimmering orbs and odd noises at all hours. Those are just a hint of the alarming activities explored in eight episodes of Sight Seers, debuting Thursday, May 13, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Join Mark Joly, who is blind, and Laura Warren, who tackle mysteries and solve a series of fascinating paranormal problems on Canada’s East Coast. Each case calls for a slightly different approach and roster of experts, depending on the details of the story.

At the end of each episode, Mark and Laura either have a clear opinion or—using the results of the investigations—viewers can decide for themselves what scenario is most probable.

Nova Scotia locations Mark and Laura explore in Season one include the Queen’s County Museum in Liverpool, where wisps of smoke and unusual sounds occur at all hours; Lunenburg’s Boscawen Inn, site of ghosts haunting its halls; the prestigious Halifax Club, host of strange goings-on; and Randall House Historical Museum in Wolfville, where guests have been touched and pushed.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, Season one of Sight Seers features Integrated Described Video (IDV) making it accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Host Mark Joly
Mark was born blind, and from a young age he began seeing images in his mind when he touched other people’s hands. It wasn’t long before he understood that the images represented important events in people’s lives, kickstarting his career as a palm-reader. Over the years he has refined his gift and he now uses his “third eye” to provide many long-time clients with accurate information about their lives. As a modern-day oracle he is often sought after for his unique insight into matters of money, health and the heart.

Host Laura Warren
Laura is a natural medium who has been developing her mediumship and psychic abilities since she was a child. After years of education and training in health, wellness, energy therapy, and psychic development, Laura moved into the career of a psychic medium. Laura has over a decade of psychic mediumship experience and has developed an international following; she is in demand in the Maritimes and beyond. She is known for her ability to call forth spirit to deliver messages to their living friends and relatives. Laura’s skills include helping her new and long-time clients highlight and remove blocks and challenges in their lives, give hope and a sense of peace, and help provide closure. Laura also has been dedicated to helping lost souls move forward to the afterlife and thereby resolving hauntings.

Sight Seers debuts Thursday, May 13, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake, the AMI original series Level Playing Field debuts September 7 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Everyone deserves a level playing field. Debuting Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, the AMI original production Level Playing Field highlights 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.

Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake, Level Playing Field‘s eight half-hour episodes travel across the country, following the stories of athletes and organizations.

In the premiere episode on Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, we meet Rob Shaw. The 30-year-old para-athlete from North Bay, ON, has been playing tennis competitively from a young age and coaching, including coaching wheelchair tennis. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that resulted in C5-C6 level paralysis in all four limbs, Rob has limited mobility but has not stopped playing the sport he loves.

Future Season one episodes focus on Paralympic hopeful Anthony Lue, boxer Debbie Haryett, Para Triathletes Jon Dunkley and Jessica Tuomela, Para Judo star Priscilla Gagné, Wheelchair Rugby Canada team members Shayne Smith and Eric Rodrigues-Furtado, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Season one of Level Playing Field was developed following the broadcast of two 2019 pilot episodes featuring Para Ice Hockey and Para Cycling. Stream the pilot episodes on demand on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, Season one of Level Playing Field features Integrated Described Video (IDV) making it accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Host Greg Westlake
Para ice hockey team captain Greg Westlake helped Canada to the silver medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

At the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, in April 2017, Greg, a forward, helped Canada defeat arch-rivals U.S.A. to win a record fourth world title for the Canadians. The win marked his third world championship gold: Greg was on teams that won in 2008, 2013 and 2017.

Greg competed at his third Paralympic Games in 2014, in Sochi, and collected a second career Paralympic medal as Canada won the bronze. Greg finished the Sochi Paralympic Games tournament with four points in five games, including an assist on Billy Bridges’ insurance goal in the bronze medal game 3-0 victory over Norway.

In addition to Para ice hockey, Greg is developing a successful career as a broadcaster. He worked as a reporter for CBC at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

Greg had both legs amputated below the knee at age 18 months. When he was born his feet were malformed and were never going to be fully functional. The technical term is congenital bilateral below knee amputee. He began playing Para ice hockey with the Mississauga Cruisers in 2001 and made his debut in 2003 with Team Canada at age 17.

Level Playing Field debuts Monday, September 7, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes post-broadcast on AMI.ca or using the AMI-tv App.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Season three of Eyes for the Job premieres September 10 on AMI-tv

From a media release:

Chris and Alex are tackling their biggest projects yet! Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced that Season three of Eyes for the Job, the 13-part television series starring Chris Judge and Alex Haider, premieres Tuesday, September 10, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Produced by Clerisy Entertainment, Eyes for the Job is set in Halifax and features Nova Scotian co-hosts Chris Judge and Alex Haider. Chris, who is blind, is a lifelong handyman and do-it-yourself enthusiast. Joining him once again is Alex, who couples her creativity and enthusiasm with social media and outreach know-how.

Season three marks changes at the community workshop. Alex takes control of many projects, giving Chris even more time to tell jokes, practice his singing and even take a selfie or two. They also challenge themselves—and each other—with bigger projects, inviting friends and contributors to help them convert an old dresser into a change table, construct an apple press, and put their personal touches on a pair of custom baseball bats. Eyes for the Job becomes a family affair as Chris’ brother, Darren, stops by to help his sibling build a doghouse.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, Season three of Eyes for the Job features Integrated Described Video (IDV): Chris and Alex describe their actions and surroundings during filming to make the program accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Beginning on September 10, Eyes for the Job airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Check your local listings for the AMI-tv channel in your area or use AMI’s online channel guide. Episodes will be available online after the initial broadcast at AMI.ca or on the AMI-tv App.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

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.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail