[nabs-l] Lives Worth Living disability rights documentary airs onPBS

[Chris Nusbaum]

Hi Bridgit,

I just learned something! I'd never heard of Ed Roberts until 
now! So, if you think about it, although Roberts wasn't blind 
himself nor was he involved in the Federation (or any other 
blindness organization for that matter,) he did something for us 
by fighting for the right of people with disabilities to travel 
on airplanes (which the Federation also fought for,) and by 
fighting for accomodations to be provided at universities, which 
many of us on this very list are reeping the benefits of every 
day.

Chris

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:06:23 -0500
Subject: [nabs-l] Lives Worth Living disability rights 
documentary airs onPBS

I have no idea who produced this documentary, or what will be 
present in
terms of information.  I won't judge this film without seeing it,
however, I have to point out that many, many other people have 
been
instrumental in the disability rights movement, and the NFB is 
but one
organization.  Because a group like the Federation focuses solely 
on one
disability, we aren't always aware of what else exist out there.

Ed Roberts is actually one of the big names mentioned when 
discussing
rights for those with disabilities.  He started the entire 
independent
living movement, and he's the first person to establish 
independent
living centers for those with disabilities.  Roberts was 
diagnosed with
Polio at a young age; he was unable to move his body from the 
neck down
except a few fingers, and he has had to wear an iron lung most 
his life.
Roberts had a very independent and positive outlook on 
disability,
spurring others to get on board with accepting disability as a 
part of
life.  He is known for saying "differently able," it was Roberts 
who
initiated the dialogue with airlines so that people with 
disabilities
could travel with whatever accomodations necessary especially 
those
using wheelchairs.

The pioneer program at Berkley providing services to students 
with
disabilities, that eventually was adopted at colleges around the
country, was headed by Ed Roberts.  Because of this guy who few 
actually
know of, students with disabilities are offered services on their
respective campuses.  Schools lacking stellar services should be 
ashamed
because that was never Roberts idea of quality services.  Berkley 
has one
of, if not thee, best disability services in the country.

So before assuming the Federation, which has done a lot and is 
certainly
a powerful, important organization, double check facts.  No pun 
intended,
but we tend to keep our blinders on in terms of disability in 
general.
The Federation has done a lot- probably the most- for blindness 
alone,
but in terms of the disability rights movement as a whole, many 
have
come before, and many are still around.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 3
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:43:04 -0400
From: Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] "Lives Worth Living" Disability Rights
	Documentary	Premieres on PBS Series Independent Lens;
October 27
Message-ID: b9626ff6-e05b-419d-9ef1-2d8812f5fc58 at samobile.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format="flowed"

That's odd, where's the Federation in all this seems how Jacobus
tenBroek kind of founded the Disability Rights movement through 
his
scholarly work ? And really, the blindness movement is probably 
one of
the strongest in the overall Disability Rights Movement.

And also, has anyone heard whether or not the film will be 
available
online as I don't have a television?.

Respectfully,
Jedi


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