At Banter Podcast

In this special crossover episode, Rob flies solo without Ryan but drafts in guest host Shawn Marsolais from Blind Beginnings and the Limitless Podcast to help explore the fast, loud, and gloriously chaotic world of blind soccer. They’re joined by Jillian Sloane, Ramya Amuthan, and coach Matt Greenwood from Canada’s Women’s National Blind Soccer Team, who share how a random Facebook post, zero organized-sport experience, and a handful of determined players led all the way to the World Championships in India. From yelling “voy” while getting hammered into the boards, to 40-degree heat, broken bones, a 17-penalty shootout, Canada’s first women’s blind-soccer goal, and a very Canadian Fair Play Award, this is a funny, honest, and inspiring look at what it takes to build a new sport and a National Team from the ground up. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/at-banter-podcast-episode-450-voi.pdf Show Notes Soccability Canada https://www.soccability.ca/ AT Banter is brought to

Join Rob and Steve for a World Braille Day special where “bumpy paper” takes the spotlight. They’re joined by Braille champions Shawn Marsolais, Jen Jesso, and Riane LaPaire to celebrate why Braille is literacy and to ask why, in 2026, access to it is still uneven. The panel shares real‑world stories of how Braille powers education, work, and independence, and digs into both the wins and the roadblocks: creative use of Braille tech and tactile graphics, growing World Braille Day resources and library programs, but also shortages of TVIs and transcribers, funding gaps, misconceptions about how technology can replace braille, and the myth that “audio is enough.” Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/at-banter-podcast-episode-449-a-bumpy-ride.pdf Show Notes NNELS https://nnels.ca/ NNELS World Braille Day Page https://nnels.ca/wbd PRCVI https://www.prcvi.org/ Braille Literacy Canada https://www.brailleliteracycanada.ca/en AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive T

For the last AT Banter episode of the year, Rob, Ryan, Steve, and Lis reunite and compare holiday plans before being joined by Dhaval Patel of Lotus Labs, creator of the Lotus Ring—a point‑and‑click wearable that controls your home without apps, rewiring, or Wi‑Fi. Dhaval shares how a late‑night struggle to turn off a light sparked the idea, why renters, pregnant parents, people with disabilities, and Stevie Wonder himself have all influenced the design, and how “optimizing for disability first” leads to simpler, more universal tech for everyone. Happy Holidays to all our listeners and thanks for another amazing year! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-448-one-ring-to-rule-the-smart-home.pdf Show Notes Lotus Ring https://getlotus.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.canass

This week Rob and Ryan are excited to be joined by returning friends Kerry and Brian Kijewski from Outlook on Radio Western, along with their “BF” – Barry Toner – for a wide‑ranging, funny, and thoughtful conversation about intersectionality, the damage of pity‑based charity marketing, “hero vs. helpless” narratives, and why most people actually live somewhere in the messy middle. It’s a great hour of conversation that is part thought provoking, part empowering, and all real.   Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-447-real-talk-with-the-kijewskis-and-barry.pdf Show Notes Outlook on Radio Western https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/outlook-on-radio-western/id1527876739 Kay Consulting https://kayconsulting.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

This week Rob and Ryan welcome Dr. Nordine Sebkhi and Arpan Bhavsar from Kinemo, a company shaking up the world of wearable assistive tech. Discover how their tiny, customizable sensors are giving independence a high-tech makeover, letting users control everything from power wheelchairs to computers using whatever body part moves best (eyebrows included!). Tune in for stories of epic innovation, eyebrow-raising prototypes (literally) and a peek into a future where assistive devices are as cool and inconspicuous as your favorite gadget. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/at-banter-podcast-episode-446-kinemo.pdf Show Notes Kinemo https://kinemo.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.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue,

Curious how music, technology, and accessibility can blend together?  Lis joins Rob and Ryan this week as they welcome special guest Marshall Walters, the brains (and ears!) behind SonifEye, an innovative app that lets you actually hear the colors around you. It’s a conversation about the concept of sensory substitution and its accessibility implications along with enough jokes about wardrobe choices to fill a laundry basket. Whether you’re into tech, accessibility, or just love a fun conversation, this episode hits all the right notes! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-445-sonifeye.pdf Show Notes SonifEye https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sonifeye/id6701998780 AppleVis Blog Post https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/new-ios-app-sonifeye-app-hear-color-request-use-feedback 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 ex

Ready to get your hands on some art? In this episode of AT Banter, we’re joined by tactile graphics gurus Chancey Fleet and Marco Salsiccia, who are on a mission to prove that “drawing in the dark” is not only possible but  downright fun! Discover how blind and low vision creators are hacking the world of SVG coding, conquering “image poverty,” and using everything from 3D printers to… silicone placemats? (Spoiler: Yes, you can make tactile art with your leftover kitchen supplies.) Don’t miss this episode where we explore the joys, laughs, and occasional creative chaos of making graphics accessible to all. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-444-getting-a-feel-for-art.pdf Show Notes BlindSVG https://blindsvg.com/ Talking Books NYPL https://www.nypl.org/locations/heiskell Dimensions: Community Tools for Making Tactile Graphics https://www.nypl.org/about/locations/heiskell/dimensions AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology,

This week Lis, Rob, and Ryan welcome Brett "The Blind Kid" Devloo to the show, a skateboarder who navigates life with raw authenticity and zero apologies. When vision loss hit at 16, Brett didn't just adapt - he redefined what's possible on a skateboard. Join us as we peel back the layers of Brett's experience, exploring how he transformed a challenging diagnosis into a dynamic personal brand and skateboarding career. From small-town Manitoba to the West Coast skate scene, Brett shares candid stories about community, adaptation, and staying true to himself. Hear about his upcoming documentary, "Blind Corners", which captures the real, unvarnished moments of his skateboarding journey - including a memorable femur-breaking incident that became part of his story. Expect genuine laughs, unexpected insights, and a conversation that “stays on the board”. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/at-banter-podcast-episode-443-staying-on-the-board-with-brett.pdf Show Notes Brett The B

Buckle up for a wild ride with long time friend of the show Mike Calvo! He’s a tech entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and self-proclaimed 'blind visionary' who's lived a life that's part Miami Vice, part Silicon Valley! From hustling in the music scene to revolutionizing assistive technology, Mike drops truth bombs about disability, innovation, and breaking through societal barriers. Hear jaw-dropping stories of overcoming challenges, his unfiltered take on corporate inclusion, and why he believes blind people can change the world,  one breakthrough at a time. Warning: Contains strong language and powerful insights. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/at-banter-podcast-episode-442.pdf Show Notes Mike Calvo https://www.mikecalvo.com/ Pneuma Solutions https://pneumasolutions.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

Join us for an epic crossover episode where AT Banter and Limitless podcasts collide to explore the Glide - a groundbreaking AI-powered navigation device that could be poised to change how blind individuals move through the world! Our panel (that includes Limitless Podcast host and friend of the show Shawn Marsolais along with Albert Ruel and first-time guest Alethea) dive deep into their experiences demoing a prototype at a recent Demo Day at the offices of Canadian Assistive Technology. Packed with laughs, insights, and genuine excitement, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in cutting-edge accessibility tech. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/at-banter-podcast-episode-441-impressions-of-the-glide.pdf Show Notes Glidance https://glidance.io/ Canadian Assistive Technology https://canasstech.com/

Dive into the world of disability representation in Canadian film as Rob, Ryan and Steve sit down with Alethea Bakogeorge, Director of Programs & Development from the Disability Screen Office (DSO). From her personal journey as a disabled actor to leading a groundbreaking national organization, Alethea shares insights about disability in the screen industry, powerful advocacy, and the exciting future of inclusive storytelling in media. Whether you're a film buff or a disability advocate, this episode is your backstage pass to changing the screen industry, one authentic story at a time. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/at-banter-podcast-episode-440-inside-the-disability-screen-office.pdf Show Notes Disability Screen Office https://www.dso-orphe.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

Buckle up and get ready to ride as Rob, Steve and Ryan welcome back Amos Miller with the latest scoop on Glide, the revolutionary mobility device making waves in the blindness community. As CEO of Glidance, Amos shares exciting updates on how Glide’s autonomous navigation system is reshaping the way blind travelers experience the world. We’ll explore how this cutting-edge device tackles real-world navigation challenges, its potential to transform orientation and mobility training, build confidence, and why it could open new horizons for independent travel. Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/at-banter-podcast-episode-439-ride-the-glide.pdf Show Notes Glidance https://glidance.io/ Upcoming Glidance Events https://glidance.io/events/ Previous Appearance https://atbanter.com/2024/01/24/at-banter-episode-364-amos-miller-glide/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 year

Get ready to navigate the world like never before! This week Ryan and Rob sit down with Christopher Toth from XR Navigation, the company behind Audiom, the first accessible digital map that turns boring, inaccessible geography into an audio adventures. Christopher breaks down how his team is revolutionizing mapping technology, making the world more accessible one 3D audio soundscape at a time. From bus stops that sound like buses to church bells that ring in the right location Rob and Ryan chat with Christopher on everything from AI challenges to the future of accessible navigation. Bonus: Learn how YOU can help make maps accessible with just a few clicks! Grab your headphones and get ready to hear the world in a whole new way! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/at-banter-podcast-episode-438-sonic-navigation-christopher-toth-audiom.pdf Show Notes XR Navigation https://xrnavigation.io/ Try out Audiom! https://www.audiom.net/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assist

Get ready for a double dose of laughs and insight as the Limitless Podcast and AT Banter join forces for the inaugural episode of Limitless Banter! Guest host Shawn Marsolais (Blind Beginnings, Limitless Podcast) teams up with Ryan Fleury and Steve Barclay for a lively podcast crossover featuring the one and only Jennie Bovard, star of AMI’s comedy series, Pretty Blind. Dive behind the scenes as Jennie shares hilarious stories from set, reveals how real-life moments inspired the show’s characters. From goalball shenanigans and Pirate themed board games to the challenges (and triumphs) of authentic disability representation, this episode is packed with candid conversation, plenty of banter, and a few surprise confessions. Plus discover the local music powering Pretty Blind, get the inside scoop on what’s next for Jennie, and find out which iconic Canadian show the crew wants to crossover with next! Show Transcript https://atbanter.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/at-banter-podcast-episode-437-pretty-b

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 Online https://www.astromattrusso.com/ System Sounds https://www.system-sounds.com/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessib

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 Accessibility https://carrieonaccessibility.com/ Carrie’s Interview with Agiga https://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 year

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 Opinions https://www.unsightlyopinion.com/ Odyssey Music https://odysseymusic.ca/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology an

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 SensePilot https://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

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

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 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/AccessibleMedia Kelly & Company on YouTube https://www.yout