AODA Alliance
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update
United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
Website: www.aodaalliance.org
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In Episode 19 of Disability Rights and Wrongs — The David Lepodcast, You Can Learn How to Use Humour as Part of Disability Advocacy, From a Wonderful Stand-Up Comedian with Disabilities
September 18, 2026
SUMMARY
The second season of “Disability Rights and Wrongs — The David Lepodcast” kicks off with a discussion of how to infuse humour into your disability advocacy, or any social justice advocacy. Host AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky interviews Toronto-based delightful stand-up comedian Courtney Gilmour, who adeptly weaves her disability into her comedy. This episode shares the first part of their discussion. In three weeks, the second part of it will be available.
Humour and levity are surprisingly powerful tools for making your points come through in disability rights advocacy. Comedy can sharpen your arguments while also making them more relatable. Toronto based comedian, Courtney Gilmour, cleverly uses her lived experience with disability to fuel her material, to incredible effect. In this episode, our guest and host share their stories that illustrate the power of comedy in advocacy, and teach you how to, and how not to, use jokes in this advocacy.
Get this episode wherever you subscribe for podcasts (except not on YouTube) or you can listen to it directly by clicking on this link.
For links to subscribe to our podcast, and for tips on how you can help, check out the July 29, 2026 AODA Alliance Update.
All Episodes to Date Waiting for You to Listen!
- Episode 1 The 12-Year Fight for Automated Stop Announcements on the TTC about Lepofsky’s long struggle to make transit in Toronto accessible for blind riders with host David Lepofsky.
- Episode 2: Beyond Building Codes: Designing Spaces for Everyone with guest built-environment accessible design expert Thea Kurdi
- Episode 3: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign, Part 1 covering how targeted advocacy resulted in policy change for autism therapies. With guest autism advocate Bruce McIntosh.
- Episode 4: Turning Barriers into Headlines: Practical Tips from a Veteran News Reporter with former journalist Michelle McQuigge.
- Episode 5 and Episode 6: How to get a Politician’s Attention Part 1 and Part 2 with the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario Premier.
- Episode 7: Airline Accessibility: How Maayan Ziv Turned a Mangled Wheelchair into Real Change with Maayan Ziv.
- Episode 8: Smart Strategies, Real Change: Lessons from a Landmark Autism Campaign, Part 2 covering how targeted advocacy resulted in policy change for autism therapies with guest autism advocate Bruce McIntosh.
- Episode 9: Why Must a Doctor with Disabilities Combat Accessibility Barriers in the Health Care System? with physician Dr. Lisa Freeman.
- Episode 10 and Episode 11: The Milestone Fight for Including Disability Rights in Canada’s Charter of Rights – With Yvonne Peters, Part 1 and Part 2
- Episode 12 and Episode 13: Advocating for Livable Homes – With Accessible Housing Activist and Raging Granny, Kate Chung – Part 1 and Part 2.
- Episode 14 and Episode 15: Advocacy Is a Team Sport – How to Successfully Navigate Coalitions with Wendy Porch – Part 1 and Part 2.
- Episode 16 and Episode 17: How to Advocate for a Child’s Disability-Related Learning Needs with retired school principle, Debbie Stern – Parts 1 and 2.
- Episode 18: “Retrospective — Speed-Dating with the David Lepodcast’s First Season Guests.
- Episode 19: It’s No Joke…Oh Yes It IS! Learn to Use Humour in your Disability Advocacy with Comedian, Courtney Gilmour – Part 1.