[Promotion-technology] FW: WGBH's Media Access Group Encourages Tuning into ABC'S "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on Sunday, December 5

[Sam Joehl]

WGBH's Media Access Group Encourages Tuning into ABC'S "Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition" 
on Sunday, December 5 (8-9pm, EST)

The Media Access Group at WGBH encourages all those interested in inclusive
technology for people who are blind or have low vision to tune into "Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition" this Sunday evening, December 5.  While we can't
provide any specific information on what will be seen and heard (it would
spoil the surprise!), the episode promises to create much greater awareness
of the services and products now available for people who have limited or no
sight.

Here is the information the production company has released in advance about
this episode:

The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team has selected the Anderson Family
in Cleveland, Ohio.  The family of four answered the call to action when
they inspired the community to heighten their awareness of the obstacles
facing the disabled in their community.  Diving headlong into their work,
Andre and Jasmine have dedicated their time to supporting and counseling the
disabled by connecting them with resources to help them live and lead more
independent lives.  The Andersons have proven to be the definitive role
models as they themselves lost their sight 4 years ago.
 
Empowered by their own obstacles, Andre and Jasmine have never let anything
slow them down.  Together they have teamed to complete grad school, run a
center for people with disabilities, created a support group, and all while
balancing life at home with their 2 boys (one of whom is hearing impaired).
Despite having lost their sight after their sons, Jasison and Jahzion were
born, Andre and Jasmine have rallied back and have embraced their reality.
While they continue to empower their community, the family has hit a rough
patch.  Their home is falling apart around them and it has become
complicated and hazardous for them to live in especially in the face of how
their needs continue to grow. 
 
On September 29th the Andersons will have some changes in sight when Ty
Pennington, designers Michael Maloney, Tracy Huston, and Xzibit deliver a
"Smart House" in just 7 days. Local builders Marous Brothers Construction
and community volunteers will rebuild the structure and give them the key to
live above and beyond their wildest dreams. The Andersons will vacation in
Crested Butte, Colorado.  
 
About "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
The Emmy-award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," now
in its 8th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol
Holding. It's executive-produced Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David
Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from
8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.

About the Media Access Group at WGBH
The Media Access Group at WGBH, which includes a Services division and a
research and development division--the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National
Center for Accessible Media--has pioneered and delivered captioned and
described media for nearly four decades to people in their homes,
classrooms, at work and in the community. And the Media Access Group
continues to develop new solutions to access challenges as technology, and
the way we all consume media, evolve. Members of the group's collective
staff represent the leading experts in their fields and their success is
exemplified by a history of accomplishments and continuous growth, the
integration of innovative products and services into society at large, and
the enthusiastic support of the audiences served, including 36 million
people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision. More
information about the Media Access Group at WGBH can be found at:
http://access.wgbh.org. 

Contact:
Mary Watkins
mary_watkins at wgbh.org
617 300-3700