AMI-audio's New Season: A Strategic Play for National Accessibility Leadership

TORONTO, ON – August 26, 2026 – Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) today unveiled its 2026-27 broadcast lineup for AMI-audio, and while the schedule features a slate of returning fan favourites, the strategic centerpiece is a new program that signals a significant evolution in the company's mission. The announcement is more than a seasonal refresh; it's a calculated maneuver that positions the not-for-profit broadcaster as a central, critical voice in the discourse surrounding Canada’s national accessibility commitments.

At the heart of this strategic pivot is the debut of Access in Progress (working title), a series explicitly designed to explore what it will take to make Canada barrier-free by 2040. This move elevates AMI-audio from a provider of content for the disability community to a public forum for accountability, scrutinizing one of the country's most ambitious social policy goals.

Countdown to 2040: Putting Policy Under the Microscope

The timing of Access in Progress is no accident. With the 2040 deadline now less than 15 years away, questions about the pace and efficacy of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) are intensifying. Enacted in 2019, the legislation was a landmark promise to identify and eliminate barriers in federally regulated sectors. Yet, progress has been a mixed bag. While compliance rates for accessibility plans have improved and new regulations are being rolled out, many advocates and experts worry the momentum is insufficient.

Reports from government bodies, including Canada's Chief Accessibility Officer, have pointed to persistent challenges, including a lack of dedicated funding and the lingering perception that accessibility is an optional expense rather than a fundamental right. Access in Progress, debuting October 6, is poised to dive directly into this complex reality. “We continue to offer our audience a wide range of topics to listen to,” said Andy Frank, Manager of AMI-audio, in the official release. “With Bean Gill and Marco Pasqua at the helm, Access in Progress is a must-listen for Canadians—whether they identify as members of the disability community or not—as this country strives to be truly barrier-free by 2040.”

Frank's comment underscores the strategy: to broaden the conversation beyond the disability community and frame accessibility as a national project. By creating a dedicated platform for this discussion, AMI is not just reporting on the news; it is actively shaping the narrative and fostering a space for critical evaluation of federal policy.

The Strategic Asset of Lived Experience

A media company’s most valuable asset is often its talent, and AMI’s selection of hosts for Access in Progress is its most telling strategic decision. The choice of disability advocates Bean Gill and Marco Pasqua is a clear investment in authenticity. Pasqua, in particular, embodies the credibility AMI is leveraging. An award-winning inspirational speaker, accessibility consultant, and entrepreneur who lives with Cerebral Palsy, he holds a professional accreditation from the Rick Hansen Foundation and has worked directly with municipalities and businesses to improve accessibility.

Pasqua’s journey from losing his job during a recession to becoming a nationally recognized advocate and author gives him a unique and powerful perspective. His expertise isn't merely academic; it is forged from lived experience and professional practice. This deep authenticity is what will give the program its weight and authority. By placing individuals with direct, tangible experience at the forefront, the broadcaster ensures its content is not just about the disability community, but from it. This is the core of AMI's unique market position and a powerful differentiator in a media landscape often criticized for a lack of genuine representation.

This commitment to authentic voices extends across the lineup, with hosts like Ramya Amuthan (Reflections) and Steven Scott and Shaun Preece of the “wildly successful” tech show Double Tap bringing their own lived experiences to their respective subjects, creating content that resonates deeply with its intended audience.

Reinforcing the Foundation with Returning Favourites

While Access in Progress represents a bold new direction, its potential impact is built upon the stable foundation of AMI-audio's returning programming. The daily schedule is packed with established shows that have cultivated a loyal and engaged community. Programs like Double Tap, which dissects technology from the perspective of the blind and partially sighted community, and Reflections, which weaves together personal stories and lived experiences, serve a crucial role. They provide essential information, foster connection, and reinforce AMI's status as a trusted daily resource.

The return of shows like My Life in Books with Red Széll, Para Sport Nation, Our Community, and Audiobook Café demonstrates a commitment to a diverse content portfolio that serves a wide range of interests, from literature and sports to community stories. This robust and reliable programming builds the audience and trust necessary for the broadcaster to embark on more pointed, advocacy-focused journalism. It’s this ecosystem of content—part service, part community-building, part entertainment—that allows a show like Access in Progress to exist and succeed.

A Broader Vision for Accessible Media Leadership

Viewed from a wider lens, the 2026-27 lineup is a clear expression of AMI's overarching corporate strategy. As a not-for-profit, its mandate extends beyond broadcasting to being an “instrument of social integration.” The organization has consistently positioned itself as a leader, not just a participant, in the accessible media landscape. It actively engages with regulatory bodies like the CRTC and has presented its integrated accessibility model on an international stage.

This leadership is also evident in its technological infrastructure. The AMI+ streaming platform is built with full compatibility for assistive technologies, and all content is delivered with 100% described video and closed captioning, setting a standard for the industry. By launching a program that directly engages with the nation's primary accessibility legislation, the company reinforces its role as both a practitioner and a proponent of a barrier-free Canada. This season's lineup is a declaration that AMI intends to be an indispensable part of the journey to 2040, providing the stories, the scrutiny, and the platform necessary to hold the nation to its promise.