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Artwork for Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast

Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast

Accessible Media Inc.
Disability Rights
Toronto
Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act
Ontario Autism Coalition
Canada
Education Accessibility Standard
Kathleen Wynne
Constitution Of Canada
David Lepofsky
Disability Advocacy
TTC
Canadian Press
Medical Education
University Of Ottawa
Accessible Housing
AMI
Jacob Shymanski
Ontario Human Rights Code
Subway Stops
Bus Stops

Outspoken disability rights advocate David Lepofsky and AMI’s Jacob Shymanski welcome guests to discuss the latest in disability rights … and wrongs.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes15Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationGovernment

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Artwork for Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast

Latest Episodes

Disability rights advocacy is often not something you will do on your own. You frequently work with others. Naturally, differences in opinion happen. That’s why learning to successfully navigate coalitions and build common ground are crucial for anyo... more

There is a critical lack of accessible housing in Canada. 1 in 5 Canadians have a disability and our population is aging. This problem isn’t going away; it’s going to get worse. With so much recent talk of country building projects, especially around... more

There is a critical lack of accessible housing in Canada. 1 in 5 Canadians have a disability and our population is aging. This problem isn’t going away; it’s going to get worse. With so much recent talk of country building projects, especially around... more

In 1981, the then Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre-elliot Trudeau was dead set on repatriating the constitution of Canada. At the time, our constitution was effectively under the control of the British parliament. Repatriating it meant that Canada wo... more

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Recent Guests

Kate Chung
Accessible housing advocate
Accessible Housing Network (advocacy coalitions related to accessible housing in Canada)
Episode: Advocating for Livable Homes - With Accessible Housing Activist and Raging Granny, Kate Chung - Pt 2
Yvonne Peters
Disability rights advocate; COPO/Council of Canadians with Disabilities member
Coalition for Provincial Organizations of the Handicapped (COPO)
Episode: The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights - With Yvonne Peters - Pt 2
Lisa Freeman
Physician, professor, and disability advocate
University of Ottawa (adjunct/lecturer); physician
Episode: Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System?
Bruce McIntosh
Community organizer, Ontario Autism Coalition
Ontario Autism Coalition
Episode: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2
Maayan Ziv
Founder and CEO of Access Now, disability advocate
Access Now
Episode: Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair Into Real Change
Kathleen Wynne
Former Premier of Ontario
Liberal Party of Ontario
Episode: How to get a Politician's Attention - With Former Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne - Pt 1
Michelle McQuigge
Journalist at Canadian Press for almost 20 years; blind
Canadian Press
Episode: Turning Barriers into Headlines: Practical Tips from a Veteran News Reporter
Bruce MacIntosh
Advocate; co-founder of the Ontario Autism Coalition
Ontario Autism Coalition
Episode: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 1
Thea Kurdi
Built-environment accessibility expert
Episode: Beyond Building Codes: Designing Spaces for Everyone

Hosts

David Lepofsky
Host of the show; disability rights advocate with long-running involvement in AODA-related work
Jacob Shymanski
Producer and co-host; AMI-audio partner

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Force of Nature

    Lepofsky is a force of nature - beautiful, powerful and can’t be tamed. So much to live through and learn from David and his guests. Jacob does such a fine job in tandem with Lepofsky. A delight!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    p.falconer
    Canadaa month ago
  • He knows the score

    A veritable hero of human rights, the Dude provides levity, compassion, and pragmatism around manifesting, by hook or by crook, positive change in his highly informative Lepodcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rob h harvie
    Canada5 months ago
  • Invaluable Advice

    I’m a retired person with damaged eyesight who is now serving my third and final term on my municipal accessibility advisory committee. The Lepodsky podcast is inspirational, insightful, and an excellent learning experience. I have recommended it to the other Committee members.

    I came upon the first episode by chance and subscribed to it immediately on ACasti. I hope it is reaching as many people as possible through Disability organizations, interviews on news media and AMI, and possibly ther... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Janinehw
    Canada6 months ago
  • Essential information

    The message can’t be emphasized enough: a civilized society designs to include everyone AND has a realistic understanding that disability is actually our default condition so including everyone means universal accessibility design. Lepofsky heroicly delivers this message with powerful and heart rending examples that support his argument.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Feldenkrais Fan
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise clear advocacy and pragmatic insights.
Lepofsky is a force of nature—powerful and insightful.
Content is inspirational and educational for disability rights activists.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Advocating for Livable Homes - With Accessible Housing Activist and Raging Granny, Kate Chung - Pt 1
Q: What is the standard you're thinking of for new construction?
The standard discussed is universal design and adaptability in new housing, so homes can be easily adjusted for different abilities without costly renovations later, starting with features like adjustable counters and reachable electrical outlets.
Advocating for Livable Homes - With Accessible Housing Activist and Raging Granny, Kate Chung - Pt 1
Q: You yourself have a disability, am I correct?
Kate Chung describes living with mobility challenges and uses a cane, illustrating how everyday design decisions impact independent living for people with disabilities and the need for adaptable housing.
Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2
Q: What went through your mind when you decided to resign from your government role?
Bruce recounts his ethical decision to resign rather than defend a policy he viewed as indefensible, describing the personal and professional costs, the rapid media cycle that followed, and how the act sharpened the public critique of the policy decision.
Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2
Q: What were the changes announced in February 2019 and how did you respond?
The changes reintroduced age-based eligibility, imposed lifetime caps, and means-testing, which would dramatically cut funding for many families; Bruce details how the coalition organized protests, communicated a strong counter-narrative, and mobilized supporters to push back.
Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign - Pt 2
Q: And under her, she faced you as well. How did that go?
Bruce explains that the transition to a new premier brought challenges, but the coalition maintained pressure and cohesion, leveraging sustained protests and media strategy to keep the issue at the forefront and influence policy despite political turnover.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-edged policy-advocacy program focused on disability rights, accessibility, and systemic reform. Episodes frequently feature veteran advocates, lawyers, caregivers, and coalition leaders who share practical strategies for advancing legislation, changing building codes, and improving public services from housing to transportation. Guests bring firsthand experiences with cross-organization collaboration, media engagement, and government relations, often pairing personal narratives with actionable steps for listeners who want to influence policy or drive change in their communities. The show stands out for long-form, issue-driven conversations that blend memoir, legal context, and campaign tactics, making it a likely go-to for practition... more

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1. 99% Invisible
2. Reflections
3. Double Tap
4. True Crime with Kendall Rae

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this podcast launched 9 months ago and published 15 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Kate Chung
2. Yvonne Peters
3. Lisa Freeman
4. Bruce McIntosh
5. Maayan Ziv
6. Kathleen Wynne
7. Michelle McQuigge
8. Bruce MacIntosh

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