Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm From: WARD@SENECA.BITNET (David Ward) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: The Disability Network on CBC Television Message-ID: <10022@bunker.UUCP> Date: 9 Feb 90 05:18:16 GMT Sender: news@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: WARD@SENECA.BITNET (David Ward) Distribution: misc Lines: 231 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Fidonet: None Index Number: 6621 The following is a press release from CBC Toronto, Feb 6, 1990 -------------------------------------------------------------- THE DISABILITY NETWORK CBC TORONTO THE DISABILITY NETWORK is a programming concept unique to North America ... a studio-based 30 minute weekly current affairs show focussing on disability issues, produced and hosted by people with disabilities. A co-production of CBC Toronto and The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc., THE DISABILITY NETWORK will debut on CBC Television in Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor and London on Saturday March 31st at 12:30 p.m. Spearheaded by CBC Toronto Program Director Rudi Carter, the program will provide a central and easily accessible source of information for people with disabilities, their families, and employers. But THE DISABILITY NETWORK will also have a broad audience appeal. "We plan to deal with the issues head on", says Executive Producer Peter Reynolds. "The stories will be topical, provocative, and often controversial. We will particularly delve into issues and concerns related to the employment needs of people with disabilities." Vic Willi, Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Living says that "the beauty of this program is that it is not something that is being done for people with disabilities, but by people with disabilities." By employing people with disabilities, the program itself serves as an employment equity model within the CBC and elsewhere, dispelling stereotypes and raising the profile of people with disabilities. As part of the co-production agreement, CBC Toronto provides office space and production facilities for THE DISABILITY NETWORK. The CBC Training Department will also provide a special one-month 'hands-on' training program for the newly hired production staff and on-air journalists. To further facilitate this, CBC Toronto has developed a 'buddy system', matching CBC staff with DISABILITY NETWORK staff to provide extra one-on-one help. THE DISABILITY NETWORK is a 30-month project, which will provide a valuable entry point for persons with disabilities and could lead to employment on other CBC television and radio programs or in private broadcasting. Funding to the Centre for Independent Living originates from Metro Toronto's The Media Connection which in turn is part of Access Connections. Access Connections is a project developed by Metro which functions as project manager, administering over $2 million in funding provided by Employment and Immigration Canada under its Innovations Program, as well as other funds raised from private corporations. ----- THE DISABILITY NETWORK CBC TORONTO THE HOSTS: SUSANNE PETTIT Susanne is strongly committed to the objectives of THE DISABILITY NETWORK. She feels that television continues to be a very powerful medium. "We need to bring forward disability issues that people living normal lives may not be aware of," she says. "After all, we could all become disabled at any time. No one is excluded from these issues, particularly when you consider how our aging population will make up more and more of the world of people with disabilities. Susanne points out that we all likely know someone who is physically or mentally "challenged". "It has been said that a disabled person's biggest disability is often those around them. We need to open our eyes to the "ability" in the word disability and get people thinking. There is so much that hasn't been touched. And the more the word gets out and the barriers are broken down, the further advanced we can be in terms of dealing with the misconceptions and problems that exist." Susanne is a writer, producer, director, actor, and most recently was co-host of the magazine show, CHALLENGE JOURNAL. ----- JOE COUGHLIN Joe feels that THE DISABILITY NETWORK provides a great opportunity to uncover and reveal the truth behind disability issues. "It's appalling that after years of employment equity legislation, we still have horrendous unemployment figures for people with disabilities," he says. "So much value is put on what you do, that it becomes very difficult for people with disabilities to participate fully in society." Joe believes that employers have to look at alternative means of filling positions. "From an employment standpoint, they should be looking at people with disabilities as saviours rather than problems." Joe is an accomplished jazz musician\recording artist. He was co-host of the magazine show, CHALLENGE JOURNAL and since 1987 has been President of Simu Management, a firm that consults with major corporations in the areas of Employment Equity for persons with disabilities, Media Relations and Management Development. ----- THE PRODUCTION TEAM: PETER REYNOLDS ... Executive Producer Peter's career in radio and television as a producer, executive producer, reporter, host and freelancer spans nearly thirty years. For CBC Television, Peter was Executive Producer of the News and Current Affairs program in Edmonton and hosted his own current affairs series in Ottawa. He produced business programs for CBC's Agriculture and Resources Department and was a producer for MAN ALIVE. He also spent two years as a writer\producer for CTV's W-5. During an 18 year stay in Europe, Peter was a staff producer with BBC Radio, the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, and the CBC Bureau in London. In 1987, inspired by an interview he saw with shooting victim Barbara Turnbull, Peter created and founded THE RADIO CONNECTION, a radio series produced for and by people with disabilities, and precursor to THE DISABILITY NETWORK. ----- DON PEURAMAKI ... Senior Producer For the past two years, Don has been producer of THE RADIO CONNECTION, a half hour current affairs radio show that deals with topics of interest to people with disabilities. As a freelance illustrator and musician, Don became co-partner and director of Kensington Sound Studio from 1974-83. He was responsible for the acoustic design, construction, scheduling, and equipment purchase necessary for the upgrading of a professional music studio from 8 to 24 track. He was also involved in promotion, art direction, engineering and sound mixing. >From 1980 - 83, Don was also co-partner in Quantum Records where he created written and visual material to promote recording artists. ----- JOHN KASS ... Producer John is a writer experienced in all facets of journalism, research, and copywriting, including feature articles, promotional press, and information packages. He is also a graphic designer with extensive background in publication design, layout and production. For the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, he created public information brochures for the environmental assessment process. As an Information Officer for the Ontario Environment Network, he designed and wrote a newsletter called "Network News". ----- JOE ROSS ... Unit Manager As an Employment Equity Program Officer for the Ministry of Transportation, Joe worked to increase employment for group members including persons with disabilities. He organized workshops for employers to demonstrate the principles of barrier- free office design and the availability of technology, aids, and devices to assist persons with disabilities in the workplace. Joe was also Executive Director of the Office of Sport for the Physically Disabled from 1981-87, where he managed the office and organized sports events for amputee, blind, cerebral palsy, and wheelchair athletes in Ontario. ----- BRENDA LEDSHAM ... Clerk\Attendant Brenda will be taking on what may be the first full-time clerk\attendant position in Canadian broadcasting. And she is well suited for the job. As Administrative Assistant\Project Coordinator at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute's Student Union for several years, she planned campus events, delegated funds to 30 course unions and administered a budget. She is a freelance photographer with promotional shots, portraits, and slides for artists' presentations to her credit. Brenda has also worked as a physical care attendant at both the Three Trilliums Community Place, and Participation Apartments. ****** For further information: Susan Grant, CBC Toronto, 416-975-5632 ------------ End of Press Release ---------------- Seneca College Special Needs is cooperating with CILT and the Disability Network to exchange information and technical assistance. We will set up a userid for the producers of the show in the next few days -- we will send out a note when it is available. In the meantime, I will pass messages on to the folks at the Disability Network. Vic Willi at Centre for Independent Living Toronto (CILT) may be reached via Bitnet/Netnorth as SPWILLI @ SENECA ----------------------------------------------------------------- David Ward Bitnet/Netnorth: WARD@SENECA Counselling/Special Needs Department Seneca College 1750 Finch Ave E Phone: (416) 491-5050 ext 3053 North York, Ontario M2J 2X5 -----------------------------------------------------------------