WARD@SENECA.BITNET (David Ward) (02/09/90)
Index Number: 6621
The following is a press release from CBC Toronto, Feb 6, 1990
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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