In This Issue
Election Matters
The election season approaches and with it a variety of questions. First there are those for the candidates, where do they stand on disability rights? A comprehensive view of both the Democratic and Republican platforms on disability-related concerns can be found at the Justice For All blog here: http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2008/09/how-are-the-rnc.html.
There is also a practical concern for those living with disabilities. Is there an accessible voting station near you or will you vote absentee? The California Association of Voting Advocates (CAVA) was started to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the electoral process in order to maximize the ability to affect federal, state, and local political priorities. They envision a future where a majority of people with disabilities vote regularly and because of this increased participation are considered and listened to in the political, legislative, and public policy process. If you would like more information on joining your local team of voting advocates in California, please contact Diane Rovai, diane@ilrcsf.org, (415) 543-6222, (415) 543-6698 (TTD).
Such activism has proven more and more necessary, especially in states such as Illinois, which according to the most recent federal study, ranks last, behind every other state and the District of Columbia, in steering funding to small scale housing for people with developmental disabilities. Kathy and Diana, the subjects of Welcome Change’s documentary Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy, are residents of Illinois and are shown in the film lobbying with fellow advocates to shut down state institutions in favor of small family settings. www.welcomechange.org
Tropic Letdown
Headlines were made recently with the movie Tropic Thunder’s negative portrayal of "Simple Jack", a character with an intellectual disability in the movie within the movie. Journalist Patricia E. Bauer provides the facts on the controversy: http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/08/just-the-facts-tropic-thunder/, while Salon's Lynn Harris asks if it is okay to use the word "retarded": http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/09/18/lynn_harris/index.html.
To pledge your support to eliminate derogatory use of the "r-word" from everyday speech, please visit: http://www.r-word.org/.
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy DVD Release
The official DVD release of Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy with accessibility and special features is finally here!
The new DVDs include:
- English closed captioning
- English audio description
- Subtitles (French, Spanish, German, and Arabic)
- Interview with director Alice Elliott
- Deleted scenes
- Educational study guide for grades 6-12.
If you have previously purchased the film for personal use and would like to exchange your current copy for the new version, you may do so by paying an extra $5 in shipping and handling charges. Please email info@welcomechange.org for details.
Home video versions of this DVD for personal use are available through our website www.welcomechange.org/purchase/, while organizational copies are available through our distributor, New Day Films, http://www.newday.com/films/body&souldiana&kathy.html.
Update on Larry Selman, the Collector of Bedford Street
The Collector is still collecting! Larry is currently raising money for Multiple Sclerosis and has raised more than $700 so far!
Larry still enjoys meeting people and going out to eat, so think of him if you visit NYC, say hello, and be sure to give a little to his next collection!
Giving Back
If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to Larry's Supplemental Needs Trust Fund, you may do so by sending a check or money order to:
The Bedford
Barrow Commerce Block Association
c/o Bill LaValle
81 Barrow Street
New York, NY 10014.
We are pleased to announce that The Collector of Bedford Street may now be streamed online through New Day Digital, at http://www.newdaydigital.com/.
New Day Digital allows you to watch the film instantly on your computer for 90 days at a cost of $4.99. New Day Digital is great for professors who want to assign a film to their students to watch outside of class, or for anyone who wants the convenience of viewing the film on their computer.
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy will be joining the site shortly as well!
Below is a list of upcoming screenings. For the most up to date list of screenings visit our websites: http://dianaandkathy.com/screenings/ and http://thecollectorofbedfordstreet.com/screenings/. If you would like to attend any of these screenings, please contact us at (212) 924-7151
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
-Saturday, September 27th at 7:00 pm
Webster University Film Series
Winifred Moore Auditorium
470 E Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO
Tickets $6
*Diana and Kathy will be attending for a Q+A session following the screening.*
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
Saturday, October 4th, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Abilities Arts Festival - Film
Forum
The Right to Choose Your Own Path
Al Green Theatre
750 Spadina Avenue
(Southwest Corner of Bloor and Spadina)
Toronto, Canada
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
-Tuesday, October 7th at 11:15 am
NACDD Fall Conference
"Taking Flight: Soaring to New Heights"
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*Diana and Kathy will be attending for a Q+A session following the screening.*
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
-Saturday, October 11th at 9:00 am
Arc of Minnesota Annual Convention
Champions of Innovation
Alltel Center
One Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, Minnesota
*Diana and Kathy will be attending as keynote speakers.*
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
The Collector of Bedford Street
-Saturday, October 18th at 12:30 pm OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Disabilities Film Festival
Presented by the Museum of DisABILITY
History and People
Market Arcade Theatre
639 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
*Diana, Kathy, Alice, and Larry will be attending as keynote speakers.*
We thank you for staying informed through our newsletter. More information is available at our website welcomechange.org. The website is updated regularly with upcoming screenings and news. Please check back often!
Best wishes,
Alice Elliott
Valerie Champagne
Rachel Gordon
Trevor Stonefield