Kelly and Company co-hosts Kelly MacDonald and Ramya Amuthan high-five each other.
Kelly and Company is going back to basics this month.
The daily AMI-audio program is devoting November 26 to 30 to special programming that informs and encourages listeners who are new to the blind, partially sighted and disability community.
Throughout the week, co-hosts Kelly MacDonald and Ramya Amuthan will welcome contributors into the studio and on the air to discuss rights, finances, independent living and technology. These segments will be produced in collaboration with freelance producers from the blind and partially-sighted community.
Conversation and round table segments will centre around such topics as disability culture, media representation, misconceptions, rehab experiences, politically correct terminology and support systems.
“A vision loss diagnosis is very personal,” says Kelly MacDonald. “How could anyone understand what you are going through? But others have experienced it and some of their experiences will be similar to yours. We hope ‘Back to Basics’ will help support you moving forward.”
An important part of the initiative is feedback from listeners, who are encouraged to email, leave voice mail messages and tweet their advice, personal experiences and must-know tips and tricks for new members to the community.
“This week is for you," Rayma says. "If you're going through a rough time after a disability or vision diagnosis, if you're seeking helpful resources during this time, and if you're wanting to hear from people going through a similar kind of thing. We’ve compiled conversations, stories and tips to get them straight to you throughout ‘Back to Basics’ week.”
“If you can share your own stories with us we can present more ideas and perspective for listeners to draw from,” Kelly says.
New to the community? Tune in to Kelly and Company and contribute to the conversation via Twitter (@AMI-audio, #KellyCo), email (feedback@ami.ca) or over the phone (1 866 509-4545).
Listen to Kelly and Company’s “Back to Basics” week, Monday, Nov. 26, to Friday, Nov. 30, from 2-4 p.m. Eastern on AMI-audio.