AMI hosts first-ever virtual event, AMI Connect

The COVID-19 worldwide pandemic has created chaos for everyone, AMI included. But that didn’t stop AMI from connecting with the audience we serve in a safe and truly inclusive manner.

On June 3, 2021, AMI welcomes Canadians from across the country to our first-ever virtual event, AMI Connect. As the name suggests, the one-day online event—fully accessible to the blind and partially sighted community through the Zoom platform—spotlights the company’s breadth of talent on AMI-tv, AMI-audio and its podcasts. 

AMI Connect is designed to not only celebrate and, yes, connect AMI with Canadians who already know about us and our services, but to introduce our talent and programs to a new audience. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal.

AMI Connect, which promises to be entertaining and informative, spotlights AMI on-air staff, including NOW with Dave Brown and Kelly and Company, AMI-audio’s two live weekday radio shows. Who is Dave Brown? Learn more about him, country-wide contributors and the show that discusses the latest news, entertainment, sports, current events and hot-button topics through a disability lens. Those in attendance can learn more about Kelly and Company co-hosts Kelly MacDonald, Ramya Amuthan and the program that offers interviews and discussions about art, entertainment, lifestyle and top-of-mind topics in their flagship afternoon program.

AMI-tv is well represented too. AMI This Week Bureau Reporters Beth Deer, Grant Hardy, Alex Smyth, Christopher Vallée and Laura Bain will explain how they share community stories from coast to coast on AMI’s weekly newsmagazine show. Paralympian Greg Westlake, host of the documentary series Level Playing Field, will be on-hand to preview the new interview series Beyond the Field and discuss how attendees can get more involved in sport in their communities. Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo, hosts of AMI-tv’s Double Tap TV and the Double Tap Canada podcast, will lead a lively discussion about the latest accessible technology available to users. And those interested in tackling their own do-it-yourself projects at home can get tips and advice from Chris Judge, blind handyman and star of Eyes for the Job.

In the Employable Me panel, attendees are offered a behind-the-scenes peek into the new season of the award-winning AMI-tv series, learn what to keep in mind when applying for a job and ask questions of an employer, series executive producers and a job seeker.

The AMI Connect event will pull back the curtain on brand-new AMI-tv projects, with a sneak preview of the exciting new adventure series By Hook or By Cook—led by former freestyle motocross rider Bruce Cook—and Dish with Mary, hosted by partially sighted culinary expert Mary Mammoliti, who will also offer tips and tricks to keep home kitchens safe. 

Podcasts have quickly become the go-to way to connect with the world, and AMI offers several hosted by members of the blind and partially sighted community. Learn more about the podcasts AMI offers, how to access them and meet the voices behind the microphones of Accessing Art with Amy, Into You, Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther, Low Vision Moments and The Blind Reality.

By the end of the day, attendees will also learn how to access AMI in their area and how AMI is serving members of the blind and partially sighted community in Canada.