This is a joint project between the Osgoode Hall & University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Name of Organization: AMI.ca
Website of Organization: www.ami.ca/category/kellyandramya
Organization's Mandate: AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal.
Project Name: Rights of People Living With Disabilities Research
Project Type: Public Legal Education (presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.) & Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: Kelly and Ramya is a weekly 2-hour broadcast and podcast that reaches 3k-5k people each week, featuring interviews and discussions about arts, entertainment and lifestyle issues. The student volunteer will support production of the Kelly and Ramya broadcast by conducting issue-driven and legal research producing brief research memos. Once research memos are reviewed and approved by the supervising lawyer and organization contact, legal information contained within these memos will be disseminated publicly via the broadcasts.
Information on the broadcast and topics can be found at www.ami.ca/category/kellyandramya
Role of Student Volunteers: Students will complete research in the areas outlined above. The project will engage a law student in research about current legal issues that pertain to people living with disabilities in Canada. Particular focus will be on new federal legislation, as well as that of Ontario. Research may also include non-legal research to learn about public reactions of the state of the law. Further, students may be tasked with conducting outreach.
Students may also have the chance to appear on the Kelly and Ramya cable TV show, if they choose to do so.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): The Supervising Lawyer will oversee the research conducted by the student, and review and approve all final deliverables prior to use by the partner organization.
Type of Law: Human Rights, Constitutional (Federalism or the Charter), Health, Animal Rights
Main Project Deliverable: Creating produced content (e.g. research memos, brochures, podcasts, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 1 student
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: The placement is virtual so it will be flexible. However, students are expected to have weekly touch base meetings or emails.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: No
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Legal databases, internet, computer, phone, zoom - if joining a live show.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No, bilingualism is not needed but it would be beneficial.
Law School Pre-Requisites: The successful candidate will have an interest in the rights of disabilities and be able to perform both legal and non-legal research. Lived experience is an asset, but not required in order to be successful. We welcome applications from students who live with a disability, particularly low vision or blindness, as the broadcaster targets this audience. If there are no such candidates, familiarity with disability issues would be very helpful.
Students who are familiar with and interest in the Charter, Constitutional, Human Rights and Disability law are preferred.
Other Requirements or Expectations: N/A