AT Banter Podcast

AT Banter Podcast Episode 436 - Sonifying the Universe with Dr. Matt Russo

Get ready to blast off into the fascinating intersection of science, music, and accessibility! In this episode of AT Banter, the crew welcomes astrophysicist and musician Dr. Matt Russo, who’s turning the cosmos into a symphony through the magic of data sonification. Discover how planetary orbits, star brightness, and much more can be transformed into captivating soundscapes. Dr. Russo shares his journey from jazz guitar to astrophysics, explains the art and science behind sonification, and reveals how this innovative approach is making astronomy more accessible for everyone—including people who are blind or visually impaired.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/at-banter-podcast-episode-436-sonifying-the-universe-with-dr.-matt-russo.pdf
Show Notes
Dr. Matt Russo Onlinehttps://www.astromattrusso.com/
System Soundshttps://www.system-sounds.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 435 - Talking Wearables with Carrie Morales

Join Rob, Ryan, and Lis as they welcome back Carrie Morales from ‘Carrie On Accessibility’ for an eye-opening discussion about AI wearables. From Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to the upcoming Echovision, we explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing accessibility for the blind and visually impaired community. Packed with insider insights, tech predictions, and the team's trademark humor, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of assistive tech. Discover the pros, cons, and potential of AI-powered glasses that are changing lives one description at a time!
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/at-banter-podcast-episode-435-carrie-morales-meta.pdf
Show Notes
Carrie On Accessibilityhttps://carrieonaccessibility.com/
Carrie’s Interview with Agigahttps://youtu.be/5raHFE58RpA?si=DAR6BPlpAZKmrVmk
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 434 - Tamara Vandendool & Unsightly Opinions

This week on the show, Rob, Ryan, and Lis are joined by the multi-talented Tamara Vandendool Cable who is a musician, educator, disability advocate, and the creative force behind Unsightly Opinions and Odyssey Music. Tamara shares her journey from academia to advocacy, opening up about the challenges of creating meaningful, accessible content about her lived experiences. A passionate champion for accessible music education, Tamara also shines a light on the barriers students with disabilities face in learning music, highlighting the limitations of tools like music Braille and makes a compelling case for affordable, innovative solutions that can empower all learners.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/at-banter-podcast-episode-434-tamara-vandendool.pdf
Show Notes
Unsightly Opinionshttps://www.unsightlyopinion.com/
Odyssey Musichttps://odysseymusic.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 433 - Mike Hazelwood & SensePilot

Get ready for an epic dive into the world of accessible gaming and computer control! This week we're joined by Mike Hazelwood from SensePilot, who's revolutionizing how people interact with computers using nothing more than a standard webcam. Imagine controlling your PC and fragging enemies in Call of Duty just by moving your head and making facial gestures - no special hardware required! We'll explore how this family-driven startup is breaking barriers in assistive technology, with hilarious tangents about fishing, AI, and Steve's dreams of shooting virtual bad guys by going "bang, bang, bang". 
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/at-banter-podcast-episode-433-mike-hazelwood-sensepilot.pdf
Show Notes
SensePilothttps://sensepilot.tech/
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 432 - Noah Senecal-Junkeer & Easy Surf

This week, Rob and Ryan dive into the world of digital accessibility with special guest Noah Senecal-Junkeer, Co-founder of Easy Surf. Noah shares his deeply personal journey living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and how his own challenges using tools like speech recognition software inspired him to help reshape digital access for others. They discuss how Easy Surf is changing the game, literally. From website audits to playtesting video games, Easy Surf’s team of testers with lived experience is proving that accessibility is better when it’s built-in from the start, not bolted on later. They also tackle the real-world limitations of current tech, and how emerging tools like AI could redefine what accessible digital experiences look like. Whether you’re a developer, a gamer, or someone just trying to make the digital world more inclusive, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and the reminder that accessibility is innovation.
Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/at-banter-podcast-episode-432-noah-easysurf.pdf
Show Notes
Easy Surfhttps://easysurf.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 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.