AT Banter Podcast

AT Banter Podcast Episode 431 - Legacy, Laughter, and Looking Ahead with Kelly MacDonald

This week on AT Banter, Rob, Ryan, and Lis are joined by the one and only Kelly McDonald, beloved AMI radio and television host, for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about the end of an era and the start of an exciting new chapter. After eight and a half amazing years, Kelly and Company is signing off, leaving behind an incredible legacy: 2,000 episodes, 900 guests, and 1,300 community reports! Kelly shares behind-the-scenes stories, what the show meant to the community, and what’s next with his brand-new show Reflections—a deep-dive, documentary-style series launching this September. We also chat about how media is evolving in the age of streaming and remote work, and why audio description, accessibility, and authentic representation are more important than ever.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/at-banter-podcast-episode-431-kelly-macdonald.pdf
Show Notes
AMI on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/user/AccessibleMedia
Kelly & Company on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDfqxUrzDeJ-QlybYda4r9g
Kelly & Company on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7IdzoXQpgr7hU154QydDx5
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 430 - Meet the Zeen!

Get ready to meet the Zeen, a groundbreaking mobility solution that’s redefining what it means to move independently! Rob, Ryan and Lis sit down with Hall of Fame inventor Garrett Brown and Exokinetics CEO Rick Sherak to explore this revolutionary device that’s far beyond just another wheelchair. Discover how the Zeen effortlessly lifts users from seated to standing in seconds, without motors and explore how the Zeen’s incredible motor-free technology supports up to 75% of a user’s body weight, helping individuals from 50 to 325 pounds find newfound freedom, dignity, and confidence. We also learn why this innovative aid might be the most significant mobility breakthrough in decades. 
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/at-banter-podcast-episode-430-meet-the-zeen.pdf
Show Notes
Check Out The Zeenhttps://gozeen.com/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 429 - Accessibility, Arts, and Astronomical Adventures with Christine Malec

Join us for an illuminating conversation with returning guest Christine Malec, a passionate advocate from Toronto’s blind community, as she discusses her impactful role in making arts and culture accessible at the vibrant Luminato Festival. Running from June 4 to 22, this year's festival embraces the captivating theme of the "24-hour city," offering unique experiences like breathtaking dawn chorus performances and intriguing night shift exhibits. Christine dives into the festival’s inclusive features, highlighting audio descriptions, guided tours, and immersive storytelling that create meaningful accessibility for everyone. But that’s not all—Christine also gives us a fascinating glimpse into her groundbreaking collaboration with NASA, where she's helping to “sonify” astronomical data, making space exploration a reality for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/at-banter-podcast-episode-429-accessibilty-arts-and-astronomical-adventures-with-christine-malec.pdf
Show Notes
Luminosity Festivalhttps://www.luminatofestival.com/
LuminoCity Podcasthttps://www.luminatofestival.com/luminocity
Disability Collectivehttps://www.thedisabilitycollective.com/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 428 - Steven Vine & Disability Diaries

This week Rob, Ryan and Lis welcome podcaster Steven Vine to the show where he shares his remarkable journey after experiencing a life-changing triple-A (abdominal aortic aneurysm) that resulted in the loss of his sight, a leg, and his colon. With warmth, humor, and raw honesty, Stephen explores how acceptance, strong support networks, and unwavering perseverance became cornerstones of his recovery and ongoing growth. He also introduces us to his podcast, "The Disability Diaries," dedicated to educating, empowering, and amplifying the voices of those thriving within the disability community. Together, they discuss the powerful, therapeutic impact of storytelling and emphasize the importance of diverse representation and authentic voices in disability advocacy.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/at-banter-podcast-episode-428-stephen-vine.pdf
Show Notes
The Disability Diaries with Steven Vinehttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2385172
The Disability Diaries on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4Svlg4ut3kjIOGNJ9QiVOY
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 427 - JAWS 30th Sharkversary!

This week, Rob Mineault, Ryan Fleury, and Steve Barclay dive into an exciting celebration—the 30th anniversary of JAWS, the groundbreaking screen reader from Vispero! Joined by special guests Rachel Buchanan and Elizabeth Whitaker from Vispero, the crew discusses JAWS’s incredible journey and impact on users around the globe. Rachel and Elizabeth share personal insights and highlight anniversary celebrations, including a fascinating timeline memorial wall at CSUN, the exclusive “Insert J Club” for dedicated JAWS users, and various engaging training events. Plus, they unveil the latest cutting-edge AI features, such as FS Companion and a handy new AI Text Grabber, designed to significantly enhance accessibility. Listen now to explore how community engagement, innovative training, and advanced technology have come together to empower JAWS users over the last three decades—and maybe even get a tidbit of what might be coming next.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/at-banter-podcast-episode-427-jaws-30th-anniversary.pdf
Show Notes
Visperohttps://vispero.com/
Insert J Clubhttps://www.freedomscientific.com/insertjclub/
JAWS Timelinehttps://vispero.com/jaws-timeline/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 426 - AEBC & National AccessAbility Week

Join Rob, Ryan, Steve, and Lis as they kick things off with some hockey pool banter—and discover how "Artie," their ChatGPT-powered pick, has scored a perfect run! Rob’s feeling pretty good, too, thanks to his strategic choice of the Edmonton Oilers. But it’s not all hockey talk! The gang switches gears to discuss National AccessAbility Week, a movement started back in 1988 to promote inclusion and accessibility. They're joined by Chantal Oakes from the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), who shares details about their exciting virtual event featuring fun trivia and an open "Ask Me Anything" session. Finally, the group explores the phenomenon of having countless Awareness Days—are these celebrations helping us move forward, or just creating noise that distracts from truly impactful causes?
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/at-banter-podcast-episode-426-aebc-and-national-accessability-awareness-week.pdf
Show Notes
AEBC National AccessAbility Week Eventhttps://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/national-accessability-week-2025
AEBC Onlinehttps://www.blindcanadians.ca/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 425: "Artie" Ficial Intelligence

This week Rob, Lis, Steve and Rob delves into the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI), noting how it has recently sunk into the mainstream with more people using and embracing it, a shift from previous fear and skepticism. They discuss their personal experiences using AI for diverse tasks including asking questions, creating accessible programs like a screen reader-friendly audio recorder and a keyboard-controlled soundboard, and work functions such as comparing price lists, proofreading documents, and generating graphics. They also dive into AI's impact on Assistive Technology (AT), highlighting how mainstream devices incorporating AI, such as the Meta glasses with their live view feature, are becoming "game-changers" for the disability community, specifically benefiting those who are blind. Do they think that AI will eventually replace them? Will ChatGPT join the Hockey Pool? Listen now and find out!
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 424 - Angela Bonfanti & CNIB

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB, to the podcast! Angela shares her personal journey and how her father’s experience with vision loss inspired her path, along with how she transitioned from the world of politics to leading one of Canada's most impactful disability organizations. We discuss CNIB's evolution, including the innovative Community Hubs and Mobile Hubs, and highlight the urgent need for improved mental health support for those experiencing vision loss. We even dive into the power of storytelling to shift public perceptions, the importance of collaboration across disability groups, and Angela’s passionate vision for a truly inclusive and accessible Canada. It’s a powerful conversation packed with insights, advocacy, and inspiration you don’t want to miss!
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/at-banter-podcast-episode-424-angela-bonfanti-cnib-ceo.pdf
Show Notes
CNIBhttps://www.cnib.ca/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 423 - From Braille To Alexa: CELA's Evolving Services

Rob, Ryan and Steve welcome Karen McKay and Ioana Gandrabur from the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) to the show this week to discuss some of the services CELA provides that includes a huge collection of accessible books—from embossed braille to audiobooks—to people with print disabilities across Canada. They also discuss how CELA is evolving their services and navigating a shift from traditional CDs to digital platforms, the critical role of stable internet access, why boosting technology literacy is more important than ever, and CELA’s creative outreach strategies to connect communities with accessible reading.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/at-banter-podcast-episode-423-karen-mckay-ioana.pdf
Show Notes
CELAhttps://celalibrary.ca/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 422 - Tony Labillois & Jean Labbé

Buckle up as Rob, Ryan, and Lis dive into the thrilling world of blind car racing with guests Tony Labillois and Jean Labbé! Ahead of the 36th annual high-speed showdown on July 4th in Granby, Quebec, Tony and Jean share their excitement about competing in a unique event where 35 to 40 drivers—blind or blindfolded—battle it out for 10 adrenaline-packed laps, guided only by the instructions of their fearless co-pilots.
But it's more than just high-octane action—it's about raising funds and awareness for the MIRA Foundation, dedicated to providing life-changing guide and service dogs to those who require them. Tony and Jean, who've already raised over $1,500, share their past racing experiences, the challenges of blindfolded driving, and why promoting accessibility and inclusion is so important to them. Fast cars, great laughs, and a great cause—don’t miss this one!
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/at-banter-podcast-episode-422-jean-and-tony.pdf
Show Notes
Défi-Vision 2025 Tony Labillois /Jean Labbéirahttps://dons.mira.ca/campaign/jaidemira/challenges/view/ef3e34a6-f391-11ef-a492-0050560131d0
Mira Foundationhttps://www.mira.ca/en/
AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver.
Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.