At Banter Podcast

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 2

We are "beyond" excited this week to welcome the host and producer of the Blind and Beyond Radio Show, Michael and Lynn Golder. Michael, who went blind later in life, and his co-host and wife Lynn Golder discuss their show's history, which has been on air for 10 years and reaches 14 million listeners worldwide. We discuss a variety of topics, including the importance of the show’s goals of bridging the sighted and visually impaired communities, providing educational and entertaining content, and reducing fear and misconceptions about blindness. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/at-banter-podcast-episode-421-blind-beyond-radio-show.pdf Show Notes Blind & Beyond Radio Show https://www.blindandbeyondradioshow.org/ 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 v

Rob, Ryan, and Lis are joined this week by the delightful and outspoken Lucy Greco—YouTuber, Accessibility Evangelist, and champion of all things inclusive! Lucy shares the inside scoop on her advocacy work at the University of California, Berkeley, and her popular YouTube channel, where she reviews appliances and chats candidly with fellow blind creators. Together they dive into hot accessibility topics, from discussing why PDFs are often the villains of digital accessibility  to exploring the urgent need for stronger enforcement of accessibility laws. Lucy emphasizes the power of inclusive design, highlighting companies that get it right and calling out those that miss the mark. The conversation stresses why involving the disability community from the very beginning isn't just ethical—it's essential for good design. They also touch on how AI could revolutionize accessibility, but only if used responsibly and transparently. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/at-banter-

This week we’re going back to school as we welcome Kyle Brymer, a research associate at New Brunswick Community College to discuss the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals in post-secondary education, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder. Kyle tells us about the project he is involved in that aims at improving campus accessibility using digital twins and real-time sensory data. The project, funded by the College and Community Social Innovation Fund, focuses on lighting, noise, and people density in the Fredericton campus and we discuss the broader implications of the project for accessibility along with accessibility in general on post secondary campuses. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/at-banter-podcast-episode-419-kyle-brymer.pdf Show Notes New Brunswick Community College https://nbcc.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 know

This week, Rob, Ryan, Lis, and Steve welcome Jerred Mace, founder of OneCourt, a startup that’s revolutionizing how blind and low vision fans experience live sports. Forget nosebleed seats — OneCourt brings the action right to your fingertips with a device that looks like a laptop but feels like a courtside seat.  Using spatial haptics, fans can track ball and player movements in real time on a tactile surface  Jerred shares how it works, why it matters, and what’s coming next. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just here for the snacks and halftime show, this episode will have you cheering for the future of accessible sports. Go Sports! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/at-banter-podcast-episode-418-jerred-mace-onecourt.pdf Show Notes OneCourt https://www.onecourt.io/ 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

This week Rob, Steve, Ryan and Lis welcome guest Justine On Green, a blind music producer and songwriter from Vancouver. Justine shares her journey in the music industry, her work with top 40 artists, and her recent project with Jagpreet Bajwa. They discuss the state of accessible advancements in music production, the impact of AI on music, and the evolving landscape of the music industry. And because we love a good throwback, we get nostalgic AF about the good old days of vinyl and cassettes versus the modern convenience of Spotify and streaming services. Is progress always better? You decide! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/at-banter-podcast-episode-417-justine-on-green.pdf Show Notes Blind B.C. woman combines tenacity with technology to realize musical dream https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/blind-bc-woman-combines-tenacity-with-technology-to-realize-musical-dream/ Justine On Green Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justineongreen/ Justine On Green on Appl

This week the gang gathers together to break from our regular format and once again partake in a bit of Good News (because boy, do we need it right now)! From the first person with a physical disability to be approved for a Space Station mission to mussels are being used to monitor water quality, we’ve got more good news that you can load onto a four foot pizza! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/at-banter-podcast-episode-416-good-news-everyone.pdf Show Notes First Astronaut With A Disability Cleared For Space Station Mission https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/first-astronaut-with-a-disability-cleared-for-space-station-mission/ Pizza Delivery Driver GoFundMe https://www.today.com/food/people/pizza-deliver-driver-tip-snowstorm-gofundme-rcna190184 Clement Chou Akido GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-celebrate-my-aikido-milestones 10 Year Old Deaf Girl New Caption Glasses https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/10-year-old-deaf-girl-is-blown-away-with-new-caption-glasse

This week, Rob. Ryan and Steve welcome Tyler Fentie, the Accessible Gaming Lead at Neil Squire's Makers Making Change to discuss the growing importance of accessible gaming. Tyler explains the evolution of accessible gaming, the social benefits of gaming for people with disabilities, and the role of major game studios like Ubisoft and Eidos in integrating accessibility features and details the GAME (Gaming Accessibility Made for Everyone) Program, which supports gamers in Canada and helps create accessible gaming spaces. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/at-banter-podcast-episode-415-tyler-fentie-accessible-gaming.pdf Show Notes Makers Making Change https://www.makersmakingchange.com/s/ Neil Squire Society https://www.neilsquire.ca/ GAConf https://www.gaconf.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.can

This week Rob, Ryan, Steve, and Lis welcome Dr. Linda Mamer, to the show to share her extensive experience in teaching Deafblind and visually impaired students. They talk about the importance of Intervenors for the Deafblind, as well as how crucial it is for early intervention, family involvement, and technology in enhancing communication for children who are Deafblind. She also discusses the evolution of assistive technology and its transformative effects on students' lives. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/at-banter-podcast-episode-414-linda-mamer-deafblindness.pdf Show Notes Canadian Deafblind Association http://www.cdbabc.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

In this episode, we sit down with Bruce Sharpe, CEO of Singular Hearing, to explore their groundbreaking app, HeardThat. Designed to transform a smartphone into a speech enhancement tool, HeardThat uses AI to separate speech from background noise, making conversations clearer in loud and chaotic environments. Bruce shares insights into the app's development, its practical applications in settings like noisy restaurants, and the introduction of features like recording capabilities for capturing important conversations. We also discuss the rapid advancements in AI technology and its promising future in revolutionizing hearing assistance. Show Notes Singular Hearing https://heardthat.ai/about-singular-hearing HeardThat https://heardthat.ai/ HeardThatPlus https://www.heardthat.plus/   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 tol

This week, Ryan, Rob, and Steve sit down with Patrick Long, Co-founder and CEO of Innosearch, an innovative AI-powered platform revolutionizing accessibility for the visually impaired. Innosearch leverages cutting-edge AI and web scraping technology to streamline online shopping by eliminating unnecessary clutter and presenting only the most relevant information. It also features a built-in chatbot assistant to answer product-related questions in real time. And if that isn’t enough content for one week, we also audition a new cowbell – you won’t want to miss it! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/at-banter-podcast-episode-412-innosearch.pdf Show Notes Innosearch https://www.innosearch.ai/ 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 Technol

This week Rob and Ryan welcome Kimberly Parsley, a blind podcaster from Kentucky, to the show to discusses her podcast "Demand and Disrupt," which focuses on disability issues beyond blindness. She shares her personal journey including her rare genetic disorder, Von Hippel-Lindau, which led to her blindness and loss of hand function and we talk about the need for continuous advocacy, the balance between calling out and calling in organizations, the impact of younger advocates, and the potential for positive change in disability representation, and much, much more! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/at-banter-podcast-episode-411-kimberley-parsley-and-demand-disrupt.pdf Show Notes Demand & Disrupt https://demand-and-disrupt.pinecast.co/ Avacado Press https://www.advocadopress.org/ 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 t

Welcome to 2025! It’s the first episode of the new year and we are thrilled to once again celebrate World Braille Day (January 4th) with guests Jen Jesso from PRCVI (Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired) and Riane LaPaire from NNELS (National Network for Equitable Library Services). We discuss the importance of Braille literacy and the challenges in promoting it, including the high cost of Braille technology and the need for accessible digital documents. They highlight upcoming World Braille Day events, including a retrospective and a series of fun Braille activities for K-12 students. The conversation also touches on the history of Braille, the development of new Braille technologies, and the significance of Braille in everyday life. We cap this year’s celebration of Louis Braille and his invention with a trivia quiz about Braille. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-410-brailepalooza-2025.pdf Show Notes NNELS (National Network of Equitab

Get ready to jingle all the way with our festive holiday special! Join Rob, Steve, Lis, and Ryan as they unwrap a world of Christmas traditions, sip on their favorite holiday spirits,  reminisce about past yuletide episodes filled with laughter and cheer and even break out a new holiday song! Travel with us from the enchanting tale of Ukraine's Christmas spider to Iceland's mischievous Yule Cat and Sweden's iconic Yule Goat. We'll also serve up some of the world's most unusual holiday delicacies, from live carp to the daring kiviak. And, of course, no holiday episode would be complete without the age-old debate: Is 'Die Hard' truly a Christmas movie? Tune in for a sleigh ride of fun, festive facts, and spirited discussions that will have you ho-ho-ho-ing. Happy Holidays! 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 1-8

The Canada Disability Benefit is new monthly benefit that received royal assent on June 22, 2023 whose goal was to reduce poverty and support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities. However, with the recent announcement that this Benefit will only provide a supplementary benefit of up to $200 a month, it has received pushback from the disability community. Rob and Ryan welcome Janet Rodriguez from Disability Without Poverty to discuss why the $200 monthly federal benefit falls short of the $27,000 annual income needed to live above the poverty line before diving into a discussion about the need for self-advocacy, cross-disability solidarity, and systemic change to address ableism and improve support systems. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-408-discussing-the-canada-disability-benefit.pdf Show Notes Disability Without Poverty https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology,

This week we dive into the topic of accessible travel as Rob, Ryan, Lis and Steve welcome Robin East, Vice Chair of Independent Living Canada and Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee at Council of Canadians with Disabilities to the show. We discuss a recent incident involving a deaf woman with a service dog being removed from a Porter Airlines flight and highlight systemic issues in airline treatment of service animals, emphasizing the need for better training and enforcement and brainstorm possible solutions including increased public awareness, media attention, and potential class-action lawsuits. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-407-robin-east.pdf Show Notes Council of Canadians With Disabilities http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/ Independent Living Canada https://www.ilc-vac.ca/ Porter breaks its own rules by kicking deaf woman and her service dog off a flight https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/porter-airlines-deaf-service-dog-1.7363838 AT Banter

This week Rob, Ryan and Steve welcome friend of the show and founder of Blind Beginnings, Shawn Marsolais, back to announce a very momentous milestone for the organization – after 10 years of being in a shared office space, Blind Beginnings is moving to their own larger space in Vancouver in January 2025. The organization aims to raise $25,000 through a Giving Tuesday and Year End campaign to set up this new home, which includes five offices, three larger rooms, and a playroom. Shawn talks about the move and what it will mean for Blind Beginnings going forward and the positive impact it will have on programming for families with blind or partially sighted children or teens. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-406-blind-beginnings-new-home.pdf Show Notes Blind Beginnings www.blindbeginnings.ca Donate to Blind Beginnings https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/donate Take a Tour of the New Blind Beginnings Space https://youtu.be/lvxff24dYaM?si=OT0rZ_NN2bmUcgSS AT Ba

This week Rob, Ryan and Lis welcome Nicole Bergstrom, Hilton's Senior Director of Accessibility to the show to discuss Hilton’s partnership with Be My Eyes. Nicole explains the integration of Be My Eyes' support with Hilton employees, emphasizing the importance of choice and training for Hilton Customer Care representatives. The conversation highlights Hilton's efforts to enhance travel experiences for guests with disabilities and their commitment for providing an accessible experience for their guests. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-404-nicole-bergstrom-hilton-accessibility.pdf Show Notes Hilton Partnership With Be My Eyes https://stories.hilton.com/releases/hilton-and-be-my-eyes-launch-industry-first-partnership Accessible Travel: Be My Eyes Partners with Hilton https://youtu.be/L2M7gWogzfA?si=aYM7SPNEDZWCRmJn AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with ov

This week Rob and Ryan discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding invisible disabilities with Jess Stainbrook, Executive Director of the Invisible Disabilities Association. They explore the organization's efforts to raise awareness and advocate for people with invisible disabilities, including legislative initiatives to implement disability ID symbols on government IDs and training for law enforcement. Jess shares his personal experiences with dyslexia while emphasizing the need for societal understanding and acceptance. The conversation highlights the importance of education, representation, and community support for individuals with invisible disabilities. It’s a long overdue conversation around invisible disabilities that you won’t want to miss, especially if you are a fan of 70s era sitcoms! Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-404-invisible-disabilities-association.pdf Show Notes Invisible Disabilities Association https://invisibledisabilit

This week Rob and Ryan welcome Scott Martin, a podcaster and soon-to-be author, who shares his journey becoming a quad amputee to coaching soccer, adopting children, and much more. Scott discusses his upcoming book, set for release on June 9, 2026, coinciding with the 2026 World Cup, his podcast entitled ‘Life Is A Road Trip’, and the importance of advocacy and the need for societal change. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of adapting to life with a disability, the impact of storytelling, and the potential for grassroots advocacy to drive systemic change. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-403-scott-martin.pdf Show Notes Life’s A Road Trip on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lifes-a-road-trip/id1658423751 Life’s A Road Trip on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3hSFOMivFBODVHl4p6dLes AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessib