It was with great sadness that we here at AT Banter learned that Brooke Ellison, an incredible advocate and champion of disability rights for many years, passed away at the age of 45 on February 4, 2024. We were blessed here at the show to have been able to chat with her back in June of last year, and even though our time with her was limited, she made an indelible impression on all of us.

We have wanted to pay tribute to Brooke for awhile now, but the truth is we were unsure on how to best do that. Being a collection of 4 podcasting numbskulls with a silly little show in one corner of the podcast world, we felt like nothing we could do or say would do her legacy justice or communicate the huge impact she left on ourselves and the people who knew her.

We decided that perhaps the best way that we could pay tribute to her and spread her message to those who may have missed it would be to re-broadcast our interview with her. We had so much fun with her that afternoon, laughing and joking about making her an honorary Canadian while learning about her amazing story and having her share her insights on accessibility and the disability perspective. If you missed it we hope you will listen to this and visit the links in the show notes to learn about the life of this truly amazing woman.

Brooke will be missed greatly by those who loved her and by all whose lives she touched in some way, but it is our hope that by continuing to have these conversations about disability, by continuing the work of spreading her message, it will keep her memory alive.

Rob, Ryan, Steve, Lis

Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/at-banter-podcast-episode-340-brooke-ellison.pdf

Learn More About Brooke https://www.brookeellison.com/

Miracles Happen on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Happen-Mother-Daughter-Journey/dp/0786867701

Look Both Ways on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Look-Both-Ways-Brooke-Ellison/dp/1951568184

This week Rob, Ryan, and Lis sit down to talk with Elizabeth Lalonde, advocate and founder of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind, located in Victoria, BC. They discuss the origins of the Centre and its unique service model which includes a “non-custodial” approach to training in which blind teachers train blind students, before diving into a lively conversation regarding the importance of more training options for visually impaired Canadians.

Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/at-banter-podcast-episode-381-elizabeth-lalonde-pacific-training-centre.pdf

Pacific Training Centre for the Blind https://pacifictrainingcentre.ca/

Pacific Training Centre for the Blind on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091941198664

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 repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

This week Rob, Ryan and Steve welcome Rabiah Dhaliwal, youth mental health activist, humanitarian, advocate and founder of Voice for Hope Foundation to the show to discuss her work in reducing the stigma around mental health and increasing access to mental health services, disability rights and inclusion, and the new Touchscapes Art Exhibit which brings accessible art to the public to highlight the importance of universal design.

Show Transcript https://atbanter.files.wordpress.com/2024/05/at-banter-podcast-episode-380-rabiah-dhaliwal-and-voices-for-hope-foundation.pdf

Voices For Hope Foundation https://www.voicesforhopefoundation.ca/

Touchscapes Exhibition https://www.nafvan.com/touchscapes-exhibition

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 repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.