Accessible Media Production - 390

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Program Advisory Committee Members

David Best

As an Accessibility Information Technology Specialist, with more than 30 years of working experience, in software design and development, project management, diversity leadership, and disability advocacy, David is persistent in seeking out accessibility business best practice solutions. He is recognized for developing performance-driven strategies that accelerate business growth by helping organizations to increase productivity and market growth through innovation and collaboration. With a focus on digital communications that can unleash hidden talents, he is a frequent guest speaker, workshop facilitator, and an accessibility consultant. He is an appointee to the Ontario government AODA Accessibility Advisory Council, and serves on the board of directors for some non-profit organizations. To learn more visit David's personal profile web page.

Lisa Bowditch

Lisa is Director, Media Operations & Infrastructure for Rogers Media. In her role, she oversees regulatory compliance including Closed Captioning and Described Video for 20+ channels including Sportsnet, Citytv, Omni Television, OLN, and FX. She has more than 30 years of broadcast experience, with progressive roles at Global Television and CTV before becoming a senior member of the launch team for Sportsnet (now Rogers Media).

Lisa is currently working on several projects within Rogers Media that aim to increase cross-functionality of the teams that produce platform-agnostic content. She is a member of the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers, the Ontario Association of Broadcasters and Canadian Women in Communications & Technology.

Rob Harvie

A founding director of Inclusive Media and Design, Rob Harvie brings a rich background in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and accessibility solutions. He’s directed IT for the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto, where he’s lectured for over twenty years on human-computer interaction, accessibility and emerging technologies, including augmented and virtual reality and multi-sensory interfaces. Rob serves on various web accessibility-related working and advisory groups.

Levi Janosi

I suspected mild to moderate hearing loss a number of years ago. I, like many people I know today, ignored it until the loss started to impede on the quality of life I had. I joined the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) Hamilton mainly to learn about my disability and find out what can be done about it. What I found out very quickly was that hearing loss is the largest invisible disability among us. I had to join the dedicated team of volunteers, learn about my illness and help pass on the knowledge through CHHA-HAMILTON.

I was part of the founding group for the CHHA-HAMILTON Advocacy committee, which is now coming up to 5 years of running. I became a board member and director in August 2014, vice president in 2016 and was elected in September as the president of the Hamilton branch. Our priorities are to continue to increase public awareness of hearing loss and to help Canadians with hearing loss fully integrate into the Canadian society. We will do that through advocacy outreach, conducting speech reading classes by certified trainers, participating in accessibility forums and through a series of events and health fairs for, and directed towards, the hard of hearing.

When it comes to hard of hearing, there is still a stigma out there; people still think that hearing aid must be invisible. I for one try to point them out to everyone I meet and talk about it. There is nothing wrong with having hearing loss! Ignoring it and doing nothing about it when there are technologies, support organizations like CHHA, and many volunteers with hearing loss to help others with hearing loss is what is wrong!

Career wise I was in corporate management in information technology for 26+ years. Presently, aside from volunteer activities, I am trading real estate in the greater Hamilton area.

I have been married for 30 years to my beautiful wife and partner Joanne, and I have raised 3 beautiful children whom I am extremely proud of.

I have graduated from Electronics Engineering at Mohawk College and Management Studies at McMaster University. Proud volunteer for over nine years for the Arthritis Society.

When it comes to hearing loss CHHA-Hamilton helped me a lot and I am ready to give back. I encourage everyone to come out to our meetings, become a member and bring a friend with hearing loss along.

As William Hazlitt said, “The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.” - Some of us need to work a bit harder on the first part, but there is help!

Mary Neilans

With over 20 years of experience in a range of sectors related to health, education, and social services, Mary uses communication, documentation and training to spread awareness of disability rights and the rights of older adults. As Business Development Manager at AccessAbility Advantage (opens new window), Mary focuses on helping organizations meet or exceed AODA compliance standards, remove accessibility barriers, and create a culture of inclusion. Mary also serves as Executive Director of the Parkinson’s Resource Centre (opens new window) and is an active member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.

Chris O'Brien

Chris is the Accessibility Officer for Accessible Media Inc (AMI), a national not-for-profit broadcaster in Canada. In addition, Chris is the Chair of the Described Video Best Practices committee in Canada (DVBP), W3C Advisory Committee representative , member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Video Programming subcommittee, Accessibility Strand Advisor for Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), and member of the Mohawk College Program Advisory Committee (PAC).

Greg O'Brien

Greg O'Brien, editor and publisher, Cartt.ca, FindTV.

Greg O’Brien has been a journalist for over 25 years, the last 20 of which have been spent exclusively covering the Canadian cable, radio, television and telecom sectors. He launched Cartt.ca, in May, 2005, and since then, it has become the industry’s news leader – the place where thousands of professionals working in these once separate, but now undeniably intertwined, industries turn to for breaking news, in-depth feature stories, analysis and opinion about their industry.

This year, Cartt.ca launched FindTV, which is exactly what it sounds like – a way to help carrier customer service representatives find TV. We already know Canadian TV fans increasingly search for their favourites by show title and while cable, satellite and IPTV provider CSRs definitely know their bundles, broadband and wireless, it’s pretty hard to know where every single TV show can be found. FindTV is a fast, flexible way to help CSRs discover TV for their customers.

Greg has participated in and helped organize dozens of industry events and has served as a speaker and moderator on multiple occasions. He is also a member of the Mohawk College Journalism Program Advisory Committee.

Helen Papathanasakis

Helen Papathanasakis is the Director of Human Resources and Operations at eSSENTIAL Accessibility. Texas Tech University El Paso, Piazza and OSSTF are just a few of the familiar names that leverage eSSENTIAL Accessibility’s comprehensive accessibility solution to enhance the digital experience for students with disabilities. In addition to the education sector, eSSENTIAL works with organizations such as Hydro One, MPAC, City of Vaughan, Industrial Alliance and Metro, as well as many US iconic brands and government agencies and financial institutions, that have joined the eSSENTIAL program and demonstrate their commitment to accessibility.

Prior to joining eSSENTIAL Accessibility, Helen held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Sky Regional Airlines. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), and a skilled leader who fully understands the importance of developing an effective corporate culture ensuring diversity and inclusion.

Helen graduated from the University of Toronto, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Shannon Simpson

Shannon Simpson is the Manager of Communications for CNIB Ontario, a registered charity providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. In this role, she develops, implements and evaluates communications strategies to support program and service delivery, philanthropy initiatives, volunteer recruitment and advocacy campaigns across the province.

Prior to joining CNIB, Shannon had an opportunity to work as a broadcast journalist for Corus Entertainment. She was the beat reporter for the Cornwall Public Inquiry. The mandate of the Commission was to inquire into and report on the events surrounding allegations of abuse of young people in Cornwall by examining the response of the justice system and other public institutions to the allegations. For three years, Shannon co-hosted the Women's Health Show on AM 1220.

Adam Spencer

Adam Spencer is the Head of Accessibility Services for Accessibil-IT Inc, the global leader in PDF accessibility services.  As an active member on a number of ISO Committees for PDF and PDF Accessibility, as well as the Canadian Vice-Chair of the Standards Council of Canada for PDF related technologies. Adam continues to be an active contributor to the development of the new international standards known as PDF/UA to ensure the accessibility and usability of PDF and adaptive technologies.