Canadian broadcaster AMI-tv has become a groundbreaking force for the disability community, offering the world's first television network where every program includes open-format described video. This innovation ensures that viewers who are blind or partially sighted can access all content without needing additional devices or settings.
Origins and Evolution
Launched in 2009, AMI-tv was created to fill a significant gap in Canadian broadcasting. According to Cara Nye, director of content development and production for AMI, many blind and partially sighted viewers were unable to enjoy mainstream shows due to inaccessible set-top boxes. “AMI bridged that access gap but, since then, we have evolved,” Nye said. Initially, the network aired other broadcasters' shows with traditional post-description added, presented with open described video that required no activation. Today, nearly 100 per cent of AMI-tv's schedule consists of original productions made by and featuring people with disabilities.
Original Programming Highlights
AMI-tv's lineup includes diverse series that showcase disability experiences. History in 60, hosted by journalist John Loeppky, explores the disability community in Canada, covering pioneers in comedy, dance, and politics. In one episode, Loeppky tries wheelchair rugby, also known as murderball, using a specialized chair with a rounded front bumper and outward-tilted wheels. “Tell my wife I love her,” he joked before the session. Other shows include Crip Trip, a docuseries following a quadruple amputee and his best friend on a road trip from Edmonton to New York City, and Underdog Inc., which profiles four-foot-two Dale Kristensen, a heavy-machinery operator who defies expectations.
New Series and Impact
The upcoming series How We Do It, which premiered June 27, features hosts Carly (Allison Lang) who has a limb difference, and Isaac (Donovan Whyte), a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair, empowering preschoolers. According to the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older—eight million people—have at least one disability limiting daily activities, up five per cent since 2017. AMI-tv is free in basic cable packages and streams via the AMI+ app, ensuring broad access.
Behind the Scenes
Nye emphasized the network's commitment to authentic representation: “To us, the true measure of impact isn’t that accessibility just exists on Canadian TV now. It’s that disabled Canadians are working in front of and behind the camera and showcasing their lived experience through compelling stories.” This philosophy drives AMI-tv's mission to not only provide accessible content but also create employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the broadcasting industry.
