Frequently Asked Questions

AMI-audio

Q1: How can I find AMI-audio?

AMI-audio is found with any basic digital cable package on a dedicated channel by your cable provider. Visit the AMI-audio Channel Guide for your listed channel or check with your cable provider.

You can listen to AMI-audio live online on your desktop or mobile device at www.ami.ca/listenlive.

You can also find AMI-audio through the SAP setting on your television.

Q2: What is SAP and how do I access it?

SAP stands for Secondary Audio Program and is an audio setting on your television. Not all televisions have a SAP option so you will have to check the menu options on your remote.

If you do have the SAP option, the following steps are required (you may need some assistance):

On your Remote Control

You must be on the CBC News Network channel
If you have the SAP option on your remote, press the "MTS/SAP" button
Each press will toggle between the different audio modes of your television.
The choice of audio track is highlighted on the TV screen

On your TV Menu

You must be on the CBC News Network channel
You will need to use the Menu button on the remote to activate the SAP
Press Menu on the remote to display the on-screen menu
Using the scroll buttons on your remote, scroll down to the "Audio Select” option
Change the option to SAP
Your Audio Select option may not offer SAP, rather another language, such as French or Spanish
If this is the case, select any language to activate the SAP feature
Exit the menu

Q3: What kind of programs does AMI-audio broadcast?

AMI-audio offers a wide range of compelling stories and engaging original content for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. AMI-audio produces two daily live programs, hosted by seasoned broadcast professionals. Each show features news of the day, technology insights, current events, lifestyle issues, health as well as information directly affecting the blind and partially sighted community. AMI-audio also records and curates a selection of feature articles from top publications read by a team of professional narrators. Visit the AMI-audio Program Schedule for a complete list of programming.

AMI-tv

Q4: What is AMI-tv and how can I find it?

AMI-tv is a dedicated television channel mandated to be carried by mainstream cable and satellite providers within a basic digital cable package. No other device is required outside of having a basic digital cable package.

Check your local listings for the AMI-tv channel or go to www.ami.ca/schedule/ami-tv.

AMI-tv produces a number of its own original programs. If you have a show idea that you'd like to share, AMI-tv welcomes you to submit your idea online.

Q5: Do I need special equipment to access AMI-tv?

No special equipment is needed to access AMI-tv. The viewer must have a basic digital cable package from a cable or satellite provider to find the AMI-tv channel. Check your local listings or go to www.ami.ca/schedule/ami-tv to link to the listings on our website.

Described Video

Q6: What is described video? Can I turn it off?

Described video involves a narrator who describes key visual elements of a movie, documentary or television show that are not part of the script in order to explain what would be missed if it could not be seen. The narration is added to the sound track. A unique feature of AMI is that the DV is provided in an open format, which means it is always on and cannot be turned it off.

Q7: Why do you provide described video (DV)?

Described video is another vital method to making accessible media for all Canadians. Described video uses a narrator to describe visual elements of a program that are not spoken so people who are blind or with low vision can follow and enjoy the storyline. Described video adds a layer of detail that is missing from conventional television.

Q8: Is AMI the only company the provides described video (DV)?

AMI-tv is the only television channel in Canada dedicated to around-the-clock, also known as open described video and closed captioning services.

Other Canadian channels offer described video on some of their programming. Go to www.ami.ca/dvguide to check for programming available with described video.

DV Guide

Q9: Is a large print copy of the DV Guide listings available by mail?

Unfortunately, we are not offering this service.

The DV Guide is accessible at www.ami.ca/dvguide or by calling the DV Guide call centre at 1-855-855-1144.The call centre can provide DV listings from the current day or from any of the seven upcoming days of set programming. Though copies of the DV Guide are not available by mail, viewers can print out the listings from the website.

Q10: Can the DV listings be filtered by my location or by my time zone?

At this time, the DV Guide listings are on a national basis with the show times provided in the Eastern Time zone.

Q11: Can I search by network or program name?

Enter a full or partial search term in the box beside the FIND button to search for a listing.
By entering a search term here and clicking the button, you will be given network and program name search results from the current day.

Q12: Having a combined list of DV programming is helpful, but I'm having difficulty accessing DV on my television. How do I do that?

To find the instructions to access DV on your television, go to the Accessing DV page within the DV Guide.

Q13: I'm looking for DV programming on a specific network and I cannot find it within the DV Guide. Why?

The DV Guide is a combined list of DV programming available across many Canadian networks.

The listings for the DV Guide are provided to AMI by a broadcaster who also displays the listings on their electronic programming guide. Therefore, listings are limited to the information provided to AMI by individual broadcasters.