What the Disabilities Act has to Offer a Media Town – 25 Years of the ADA

In an industry based upon taking the invisible, such as ideas and relationships, visible through drama and demonstration, the disabled among us still have a hard time turning up on screen.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (now being celebrated on the 25th anniversary of its being signed into law) covers the public side of life only: You won’t find a government official questioning your screenplay about this momentous civil rights legislation.

A more relevant comment and question might be – You know you can do better. But what is it that you do in your creative life that might make your projects more inclusive of those Americans who have as much to offer as those idolized as “red carpet ready” actors?

Well, you have a unique chance to give this some thought:  Two different conferences coming to NYU and CUNY next Monday and Tuesday bring unique focus to the issues. You’ll hear ideas from, and can interact with, some of the top names in the industry, along with folks from academia and government too.

To honor the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, these two full day conferences offer a great chance to learn. The Lights! Camera! Access! 2.0 “Think Tanks” on July 13 (at NYU) and July 14 (at CUNY) explore leading-edge accessible technology, authentic disability narratives, best practices in advertising, TV, movies, documentaries and other media. All of this will help frame the “Call­to­Action” Summit agendas in NY (October 1 at CUNY) & Hollywood (October 21 at The Paley Center for Media).

What’s more, some top names will be there to set the tone.

On Monday, July 13 at 1 pm, you can catch a keynote by one of the “fathers of the Internet” himself, Vinton G. Cerf, VP and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google

On Tuesday, July 14, at 1 pm listen up to opening remarks by NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Cynthia Lopez. She will be followed by presentations that include National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, NY Women in Film and Television, CBS, American Association of Advertising Agencies, BBDO NY and others.

These are info packed, full-day sessions, totally free, but you must RSVP to get in.

To do that, send an email to lca2.0thinktankrsvp@gmail.com.

In this email, you need to actually indicate which of these you plan to attend. Please cut and paste the actual event(s) you will attend!

[ ] Accessible Interactive ­ Digital Media Platforms:
Monday, July 13; 1 ­ 7 pm at NYU (NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life; 238 Thompson Street; New York, NY 10012)

Featuring Internet Programming; Accessible Hardware and Software; Social Media; and Gaming with keynote by Vinton G. Cerf, VP and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google and conversations with Yahoo!, AT&T, Panasonic and others

[ ] Disability Narrative Imperative in Media Content:

Tuesday, July 14: 1 ­ 8 pm at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice: (Shiva Gallery; New Building; 860 Eleventh Avenue; Between 58th and 59th Streets)
Featuring Diversity in Advertising; Disability­inclusive Diversity Intersectional Issues and Decision Makers; Nothing About Us Without Us. Welcoming remarks by NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Cynthia Lopez, plus presentations and conversations with CBS, NY Women in Film and Television, American Association of Advertising Agencies, BBDO NY, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Inclusion in the Arts, and others.