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Every year, The Zero Project seeks inclusive, innovative and scalable solutions from around the world to submit their nominations. They are then evaluated in a multi-step process that includes peer review by thousands and voting. A select number of solutions receive a Zero Project award and support through the Zero Project network. The following is a compilation of AMI-audio readers reading a brief bio for each of the winning solutions. These are the people and organizations that are truly making a difference. Originally broadcast on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2023.

One of the most hyped accessibility related additions in iOS 17 was called personal voice. Michael Feir explains how this combines with another feature to allow your iPhone to literally speak for you (6:37). How are habits formed and how can we break bad habits? Fern Lulham joins us to break this all down (22:11). A dog recently ate an absurd amount of money that was on a counter, yet the owner was still able to get it back. How so? Beth Deer tells us on The Buzz (37:43). What foods contribute to maintaining a strong immune system? Mary Mammoliti stops by to tell us more (51:21). During our Accessible Gaming segment, Markus McCraken breaks down the newest Mortal Kombat game that had some unique surprises (1:05:51). On our weekly roundtable we’re joined by host of the Globe and Mail show on AMI-audio, Corinne Van Dusen (1:18:33).

On today's episode: With 2023 behind us, Karen Mackay of CELA is here to help us break down the best and most notable audiobooks of the year. Plus, the voice of AMI-audio, Julia Bonett, is joining us as our avid audiobook listener this week.

As part of AMI-Audio’s coverage of the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we asked a group of our friends, regular contributors and employees with disabilities for their thoughts on the IDPD. More specifically, we asked: 1. What does the IDPD mean to you? 2. What are steps society can take to tangibly improve the lives of persons with disabilities? This is an audio collage, of sorts, showcasing nuanced approaches and differing opinions people within the community have towards the IDPD. Work needs to be done but it’s important to recognize the work that has been done as well as maintain an optimistic outlook.

AMI-audio's ‘The Pulse’ recently featured a three-part series on this year's honourees for the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame. Ryan Delehanty share somes highlights.

On today's episode: Bill Shackleton, a live reporter at AMI, brings us up to speed on cozy mysteries. This is a genre of light, dip your toes in, small town vibe mystery stores.

We are ending the summer in style as we welcome Steven Verdile onto the show today. Steven is a New York City-based designer and writer, but he’s probably best known as the creator of the disability satire website The Squeaky Wheel. We talk about his approach to disability satire and humour, the funniest disability moments we’ve encountered recently, the Barbie movie and more. Here are the links to the Squeaky Wheel articles we discussed: Wheelchair Barbie Gets Revolutionary 4 Seconds of Fame: https://thesqueakywheel.org/2023/08/02/wheelchair-barbie-gets-revolutionary-4-seconds-of-fame/ Disability Pride May Have Ended, but 11 Months of Disability Shame Are Just Getting Started: https://thesqueakywheel.org/2023/08/01/disability-pride-month-may-have-ended-but-11-months-of-disability-shame-are-just-getting-started/ U.K.’s Largest Benefit Recipient Awarded with Shiny New Hat: https://thesqueakywheel.org/2023/05/06/uks-largest-benefit-recipient-awarded-with-shiny-new-hat/ Visit The Squeaky Wheel at: www.thesqueakywheel.org or Steven Verdile’s website at: www.stevenverdile.com On a sadder note, this episode marks the final episode of the Connecting Disability podcast. Recent changes at AMI-audio have meant several shows, like this one, are ending. I want to thank all the guests who joined me during the past two years, the technical producers who worked on this show, and Andy Frank and Ryan Delehanty for guiding the podcasts. And most importantly, thank you to you, the listeners, for joining me on this journey. I loved every minute we spent together. I’m sad to be leaving this show. If you want to contact me, you can go to the site formerly known at Twitter @meagangillmore. My messages are open. Or, send a note to feedback@ami.ca, tell them you’d like to get in touch with me, and they’ll pass your message along. I hope we connect again soon!

"Amy Amantea is a multi disciplinary art with legal blindness and a love for photography. With a focus on “Finding the Light,” Amy asks people to describe the photos she has taken and never really seen. Amy uses her recollection of place and time to engage in conversation and shared memory, creating a unique participant experience. Connect with the artist: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.amantea"

There’s been a lot more talk lately (in Canada, at least) about the disability community as a political unit. But what happens if your disabilities aren’t considered to be disabilities? Laura Brydges has spent years learning and teaching others about the needs of those with hidden disabilities. She joins us to talk about her journey with hidden disabilities, what politics can and cannot do for people with disabilities, and to share some poetry. Laura has a lot of wisdom to share about choosing happiness and living a full life with limitations. I really hope you enjoy spending time with her as much as I did. A quick editing note: During this conversation, Laura and I talk about a draft accessibility standard from Accessibility Standards Canada that is open for public consultation. That specific standard is the outdoor spaces standard. You can find more information about that standard here: https://accessible.canada.ca/. The deadline for public feedback is August 11. Learn more about Laura’s work and the resources she’s developed here: https://hdscanada.wordpress.com/

There are so many things to say about this month’s guest. Jess Tuomela is a four-time Paralympian who has worked as a massage therapist and now as a dog trainer, training dogs in scent discriminate trailing. But while she’s made headlines for her athletic career and dog training, my favourite thing about Jess is the time I got to spend with her several years ago. There’s a lot of laughter in this episode. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did – and Jess, I really hope we get to meet in-person again soon! Learn more about True North Canine, Jess’s dog training company, here: https://truenorthk9dogs.com/ More on Jess and Lucy’s work locating an elderly woman: https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/news/saanich-paralympian-finds-missing-person-with-the-help-of-her-dog/ Jess also works as a mental performance strategist: https://www.jessicatuomela.com/ Jess was featured on an episode of the CBC podcast, Player’s Own Voice. Catch that here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/202-players-own-voice/episode/15796615-jessica-tuomela-paratriathlete-trains-through-the-trials We talk about the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre a lot on this podcast. You can learn more about the camp here: https://www.cnib.ca/en/programs-and-services/play/cnib-lake-joe?region=on

"When you acquire a disability, there is a period of adjustment when you figure out what this “new life” looks like. And, while you do that, those around you are often comparing you to who you were or looking at you as someone how won't be able to function in society or live a normal life. What is “normal” anyway? Who decides what that looks like? If you are Jennifer Burgmann, you are taking these everyday experiences of ableism and oppression and integrating them into your creative process proving it to be both satisfying and empowering! Celebrate British Columbia's Access Awareness Day with Jennifer Burgmann, who is lending her talents from her home in Surrey, B.C. Connect with the artist: https://adayinthelifeofapwd.weebly.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferburgman?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferburgmann/?hl=en"

What do New York Senator campaigns, sociology and the late Christopher Reeve (a.k.a. Superman) all have in common? Our guest: Brooke Ellison. Brooke is an associate professor at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. She’s also the author of two books: Miracles Happen and her most recent, Look Both Ways. She joined the show to talk about the process of writing this book, the biggest thing she would change about how she’s lived with a disability, and her thoughts about disability’s place in politics. You can learn more about Brooke and her work at her website: www.brookeellison.com Follow her on Twitter: @brookemellison

"Johnny Tai is a lot of things. He is an accomplished martial arts instructor, a former dragon boater, a YouTuber and a singer songwriter. He also is a tactile artist. Johnny, who is totally blind and partially Deaf, shares the biggest challenge he had when he was learning how to draw was how to translate a three-dimensional form onto a two-dimensional surface. Using aluminum or copper sheets as his medium, Johnny continues to explore texture and form as he draws images and scenes from his imagination, as they are not things he has seen before. Connect with the Artist on his website: http://www.johnnytiger.com/ Connect with Johnny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnnytiger1981?lang=en Connect with Johnny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnytiger1981/ Subscribe to Johnny on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bigbigmanful"

Ben Mattlin is one of my favourite writers to read about disability, disability policy and life with disability. His latest book, Disability Pride, describes how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has changed disability advocacy in the United States and provides snapshots of what disability advocacy and culture looks like today. I was so humbled and grateful when he agreed to be on our show and I hope you enjoy this conversation. Learn more about Ben at www.benmattlin.com Ben references some different pieces of American legislation. You can read more about the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act here: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History. The lawsuit Ben refers to where a Florida woman is suing a Maine resort over its lack of ADA compliance is called the Acheson Hotels, LLC, v. Deborah Laufer. Read the New York Times reporting on it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/27/us/supreme-court-maine-disability.html.

"Joining us from, Duncan, on Vancouver Island, Lise Gillies describes her ADHD as a superpower – being able for focus on multiple things at once while creating graphic recordings. She also works with Indigenous traditional plants to create some of the most luxurious lip balms ever. Connect with the Artist on her website: blackbirdholistic.ca"

Friends, we have a treat of an episode for you this month! The sibling relationship can be the longest and most complicated relationship in someone’s life. Today, we’re chatting about how disability and chronic illness influence siblings. Our guests are sisters Holly and Amy Mathers. Holly is a registered psychotherapist and Amy is a passionate advocate of Canadian teen fiction. They joined me to talk about how Amy’s disability has impacted them throughout their lives and what it took to go from being siblings to friends. (And, yes, since Holly is a psychotherapist, this did feel like therapy sometimes! All the feelings!) You can listen to Amy’s podcast about Canadian teen authors, YA Write, on major podcast platforms. Find more info here: https://bookcentre.ca/publications/ya-write Learn more about Holly’s work here: https://www.hopeforfamilies.net/ Siblings Canada provided crucial support for this episode. Learn more about them here: https://canadiancaregiving.org/siblingscanadea/

"Katherine Matlashewski is a graduate of Studio 58, a well-known professional acting school in Vancouver. Being dyslexic meant she had to advocate for herself throughout her education and life, but she is turning some of these experiences into work that she can perform on stage in order to “fill that gap” where artists with disabilities should be present. Connect with the artist on Instagram: @katie_kat347"

"This month, we are celebrating love and remembering Black History Month with Clovis and Sherron Grant. Clovis and Sherron are the co-founders of Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support, an organization dedicated to helping Black families get the resources they need to support loved ones who live with a disability. Clovis and Sherron have a lot of insight about family life and responding to difficult social expectations. I really hope you learn as much from them as I did. You can find their work here: https://www.sawubonaacs.org/ Follow them on Twitter: @sawubonaacs Read more about how this work started here: https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2020/12/06/sherron-grant-got-used-to-being-the-only-black-mother-in-support-groups-for-parents-of-autistic-kids-shes-making-sure-other-black-parents-dont-feel-as-lonely-as-she-did.html Read more of Clovis’sreflections on fatherhood in the Spring 2022 issue of Autism Matters: https://files.elfsightcdn.com/43cd4e5b-d7d4-4fe6-8e3c-9968aa47e130/db9bbc51-a266-4cff-9ab7-8448da7ac0ae/AM---Spring-2022---FINAL.pdf "