https://simplecast.com Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast Outspoken disability rights advocate David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski welcome guests to discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs. 2025 Accessible Media Inc. en Fri, 3 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Fri, 3 Apr 2026 11:00:11 +0000 https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/c1f7074b-1a77-4fd0-b874-36e07b5a5765/e8db5a4d-a72a-4377-b923-bf7a0343d2b5/3000x3000/tdl-1400x1400.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com episodic Outspoken disability rights advocate David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski welcome guests to discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs. Accessible Media Inc. false https://feeds.simplecast.com/dBCbgWZl accessibility, accessible, activism, aoda, disability, law, policies, policy AMI podcasts@ami.ca 4edcb326-5d1a-419f-8a02-d7ad8d2036d4 The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights - With Yvonne Peters - Pt 2 Fri, 3 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-milestone-fight-for-including-disability-rights-in-canadas-charter-of-rights-with-yvonne-peters-pt-2-gqa7u6fg The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights - With Yvonne Peters - Pt 2 AMI 01:07:38 In 1981, the then Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre-elliot Trudeau was dead set on repatriating the constitution of Canada. At the time, our constitution was effectively under the control of the British parliament. Repatriating it meant that Canada would finally have the power to amend it without British approval. In the process, Trudeau also wanted to introduce a charter of rights and freedoms, which would enshrine the rights of protected groups directly into our constitution. The problem? Canadians with disabilities were not included in the list of protected groups. This is part 2 of 2 of the story of the advocates who successfully lobbied to have disability rights included in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms. David Lepofsky, fresh from law-school, was among them, along with fellow disability rights advocate and lawyer, Yvonne Peters. The two share their perspectives of this landmark victory in disability advocacy. David Lepofsky’s memoir: Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” is Available online for free download at https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/swimming-up-niagara-falls-the-battle-to-get-disability-rights-added-to-the-canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms-by-aoda-alliance-chair-david-lepofsky-now-available-as-free-audio-book-ms-word/ in pdf, MS Word, e-pub formats and as a free audio book, or for purchase as a hard copy book from Amazon or as a Kindle e-book from Kindle. Watch David Lepofsky’s December 12, 1980 presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons ofCanada on the Constitution of Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdYFUtAslc David Lepofsky’s January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqNpeGhWP0 David Lepofsky’s November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcn6mZcJeLc September 16, 2024 Interview with AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on TVO’s “The Agenda With Steve Paikin” on His Memoir About the Battle in 1980 to Get Disability Equality Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELGQu2ulSI In 1981, the then Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre-elliot Trudeau was dead set on repatriating the constitution of Canada. At the time, our constitution was effectively under the control of the British parliament. Repatriating it meant that Canada would finally have the power to amend it without British approval. In the process, Trudeau also wanted to introduce a charter of rights and freedoms, which would enshrine the rights of protected groups directly into our constitution. The problem? Canadians with disabilities were not included in the list of protected groups. This is part 2 of 2 of the story of the advocates who successfully lobbied to have disability rights included in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms. David Lepofsky, fresh from law-school, was among them, along with fellow disability rights advocate and lawyer, Yvonne Peters. The two share their perspectives of this landmark victory in disability advocacy. David Lepofsky’s memoir: Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” is Available online for free download at https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/swimming-up-niagara-falls-the-battle-to-get-disability-rights-added-to-the-canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms-by-aoda-alliance-chair-david-lepofsky-now-available-as-free-audio-book-ms-word/ in pdf, MS Word, e-pub formats and as a free audio book, or for purchase as a hard copy book from Amazon or as a Kindle e-book from Kindle. Watch David Lepofsky’s December 12, 1980 presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons ofCanada on the Constitution of Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdYFUtAslc David Lepofsky’s January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqNpeGhWP0 David Lepofsky’s November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcn6mZcJeLc September 16, 2024 Interview with AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on TVO’s “The Agenda With Steve Paikin” on His Memoir About the Battle in 1980 to Get Disability Equality Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELGQu2ulSI disability rights, parliament, canadian constitution, david lepofsky, canadian history, ottawa, aoda alliance, accessible media inc., yvonne peters, jacob shymanski false full 11 e729f5c9-3fba-440a-8714-34e83e402d89 The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights - With Yvonne Peters - Pt 1 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-landmark-fight-for-including-disability-rights-in-canadas-charter-of-rights-with-yvonne-peters-pt-1-BcAKbB3t The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights - With Yvonne Peters - Pt 1 AMI 00:58:52 In October 1980, Canada’s Prime Minister, Pierre-elliot Trudeau was dead set on repatriating the constitution of Canada. At the time, Canada’s constitution was under the control of the British parliament. Repatriating it meant that Canada could finally amend it without needing British approval. Trudeau also wanted to add a charter of rights and freedoms to Canada’s Constitution, which would create a set of new constitutional rights that no government could violate. The problem? The new constitutional right to equality to be included in the Charter of Rights did not protect people with disabilities from discrimination. This episode tells the story of the advocates who successfully lobbied to have disability rights included in the new Charter of Rights. David Lepofsky, fresh from law-school, was among them, along with fellow disability rights advocate and social worker , Yvonne Peters. The two together, both now retired lawyers who are blind, share their perspectives on this landmark victory in disability advocacy. Yvonne Peters became a lawyer after these events, and evoted her career to human rights issues. David Lepofsky and Yvonne Peters did not meet each other or learn about each other’s efforts in support of the disability amendment until years later. David Lepofsky’s memoir: Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” is Available online for free download at https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/swimming-up-niagara-falls-the-battle-to-get-disability-rights-added-to-the-canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms-by-aoda-alliance-chair-david-lepofsky-now-available-as-free-audio-book-ms-word/ in pdf, MS Word, e-pub formats and as a free audio book, or for purchase as a hard copy book from Amazon or as a Kindle e-book from Kindle. Watch David Lepofsky’s December 12, 1980 presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons ofCanada on the Constitution of Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdYFUtAslc David Lepofsky’s January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqNpeGhWP0 David Lepofsky’s November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcn6mZcJeLc September 16, 2024 Interview with AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on TVO’s “The Agenda With Steve Paikin” on His Memoir About the Battle in 1980 to Get Disability Equality Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELGQu2ulSI In October 1980, Canada’s Prime Minister, Pierre-elliot Trudeau was dead set on repatriating the constitution of Canada. At the time, Canada’s constitution was under the control of the British parliament. Repatriating it meant that Canada could finally amend it without needing British approval. Trudeau also wanted to add a charter of rights and freedoms to Canada’s Constitution, which would create a set of new constitutional rights that no government could violate. The problem? The new constitutional right to equality to be included in the Charter of Rights did not protect people with disabilities from discrimination. This episode tells the story of the advocates who successfully lobbied to have disability rights included in the new Charter of Rights. David Lepofsky, fresh from law-school, was among them, along with fellow disability rights advocate and social worker , Yvonne Peters. The two together, both now retired lawyers who are blind, share their perspectives on this landmark victory in disability advocacy. Yvonne Peters became a lawyer after these events, and evoted her career to human rights issues. David Lepofsky and Yvonne Peters did not meet each other or learn about each other’s efforts in support of the disability amendment until years later. David Lepofsky’s memoir: Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” is Available online for free download at https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/swimming-up-niagara-falls-the-battle-to-get-disability-rights-added-to-the-canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms-by-aoda-alliance-chair-david-lepofsky-now-available-as-free-audio-book-ms-word/ in pdf, MS Word, e-pub formats and as a free audio book, or for purchase as a hard copy book from Amazon or as a Kindle e-book from Kindle. Watch David Lepofsky’s December 12, 1980 presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons ofCanada on the Constitution of Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdYFUtAslc David Lepofsky’s January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqNpeGhWP0 David Lepofsky’s November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re the Disability Amendment to the Charter of Rights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcn6mZcJeLc September 16, 2024 Interview with AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on TVO’s “The Agenda With Steve Paikin” on His Memoir About the Battle in 1980 to Get Disability Equality Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELGQu2ulSI disability rights, canadian politics, david lepofsky, advocacy, canadian disability history, accessible media inc, constitution, canadian history, yvonne peters, jacob shymanski false full 10 9e0f29b7-5f74-46b7-8160-4ca89602371d Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System? Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/why-must-a-doctor-with-disabilities-combat-accessibility-barriers-in-the-health-care-system-VzKJrQ5i Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System? AMI 00:53:56 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/ 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/ david lepofsky, hospital accessibility, lisa freeman, accessible media inc, ami, disability advocacy, aoda alliance, jacob shymanski false full 9 3582d88f-a105-4be8-875a-94c7b7cd9ec6 Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/smart-strategies-real-change-lessons-from-a-landmark-autism-campaign-pt-2-SRu5tmBO Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2 AMI 00:45:00 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 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 ontario autism coalition, david lepofsky, ontario politics, doug ford, bruce mcintosh, accessible media inc., jacob shymanski, disability rights advocacy false full 8 fd6608b3-aff5-4738-a374-689d9800aeb9 Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair Into Real Change Fri, 9 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/airline-accessibility-how-maayan-ziv-turned-a-mangled-wheelchair-into-real-change-5xSeTyNP Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair Into Real Change AMI 00:51:06 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 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 disability rights, social media, david lepofsky, maayan ziv, airlines, accessability, jacob shymanski, air travel false full 7 01f3ccc2-652b-49e1-9174-b5f20fc3dd9f How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 2 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-get-a-politicians-attention-with-former-premiere-of-ontario-kathleen-wynne-pt-2-qBJHFBi2 How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 2 AMI 00:39:34 In this second half of the conversation David had with former Premiere 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.   In this second half of the conversation David had with former Premiere 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.   disability rights, david lepofsky, ontario politics, kathleen wynne, accessible media inc, ami-audio, disability advocacy, jacob shymanski false full 6 8b68c343-d676-47ca-9c64-844566662491 How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 1 Tue, 2 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (AMI) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-get-a-politicians-attention-with-former-premiere-of-ontario-kathleen-wynne-mW3DV0vk How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 1 AMI 00:43:47 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 premiere 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 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 premiere 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 david lepofsky, ontario, kathleen wynne, politics, jacob shymanski, disability rights advocacy false full 5 6ff12925-67c3-432a-9d0d-847524d0d205 Turning 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.

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]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:03:38 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (Michelle McQuigge, politics, political, newspaper, magazine, David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/turning-barriers-into-headlines-practical-tips-from-a-veteran-news-reporter-PTSPNIrE 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:


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]]> Turning Barriers into Headlines: Practical Tips from  a Veteran News Reporter Michelle McQuigge, politics, political, newspaper, magazine, David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski 00:45:48 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. Michelle is now the CEO of Balance for Blind Adults, a small but mighty not-for-profit that supports people living with blindness or sight loss throughout the greater Toronto area. Find out more on their website: https://www.balancefba.org/ 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. Michelle is now the CEO of Balance for Blind Adults, a small but mighty not-for-profit that supports people living with blindness or sight loss throughout the greater Toronto area. Find out more on their website: https://www.balancefba.org/ journalist, journalism, advocacy false full 4 2f3e0979-313c-4812-8e1f-bb7c29394dd6 Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 1 In this episode, you’ll hear from Bruce MacIntosh about a remarkable disability advocacy campaign he helped organize in the 2000s. It centered around hugely problematic, arguably unconstitutional, age cutoffs for crucial government funded therapies for Ontarian children with Autism. The 26 events they put on directly lead 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 utilize 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (Jacob Shymanski, David Lepofsky) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/smart-strategies-real-change-lessons-from-a-landmark-autism-campaign-1PddfmNW In this episode, you’ll hear from Bruce MacIntosh about a remarkable disability advocacy campaign he helped organize in the 2000s. It centered around hugely problematic, arguably unconstitutional, age cutoffs for crucial government funded therapies for Ontarian children with Autism. The 26 events they put on directly lead 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 utilize 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 1 Jacob Shymanski, David Lepofsky 00:42:04 In this episode, you’ll hear from Bruce McIntosh about a remarkable disability advocacy campaign he helped organize in the 2000s. It centered around hugely problematic, arguably unconstitutional, age cutoffs for crucial government funded therapies for Ontarian children with Autism. The 26 events they put on directly lead 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 utilize 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. In this episode, you’ll hear from Bruce McIntosh about a remarkable disability advocacy campaign he helped organize in the 2000s. It centered around hugely problematic, arguably unconstitutional, age cutoffs for crucial government funded therapies for Ontarian children with Autism. The 26 events they put on directly lead 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 utilize 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. grassroots campaign, autism, ontario, strategic communication, government policy, disability advocacy, social impact false full 3 62b63dd3-f121-4592-9279-1c667f400c3c Beyond 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Fri, 3 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (Thea Kurdi, David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/drw-episode-2-jOGmdnMj 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Beyond Building Codes: Designing Spaces for Everyone Thea Kurdi, David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski 00:43:11 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. 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. universal design, disability, accessible design, policy, accessibility, building codes false full 2 e0dcf1d6-74a7-49e2-acb1-5cb9ade1f918 The 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-12-year-fight-for-automated-stop-announcements-on-the-ttc-bcRhfrjw 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:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The 12 Year Fight for Automated Stop Announcements on the TTC David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski 00:42:31 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. 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. disability rights, legal, advocacy, advocate, disability, court, transit, policy, accessibility, legal battle false full 1 72b3abe5-f6bf-45f7-a495-1c124af2704a Show Trailer Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:25:34 +0000 podcasts@ami.ca (David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski) https://disability-rights-and-wrongs-the-david-lepodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/show-trailer-G6shr6A7 Show Trailer David Lepofsky, Jacob Shymanski 00:00:30 David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs. David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs. disability, law, trailer, policy, accessibility false trailer