Press

The New York State Museum, in collaboration with Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), is hosting the Capital District's first Disability Film Festival on October 14, 15 and 16th as part of a series of October events celebrating Disability Awareness Month.

Former TV anchor Ed Dague, who was forced to retire from WNYT-TV in Albany because of his own disability, will open the festival with a keynote address on Thursday, October 14th at 6 p.m. He will talk about contemporary disability issues, his own personal struggle with disability and the impact on his work and lifestyle. This will be followed by the presentation of "A Beautiful Mind" (close captioned), at 7 p.m.

The rest of the schedule includes "Whose Life Is This Anyway?" Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., "Finding Nemo," (close captioned), Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. and "Children of a Lesser God"(close captioned), Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. All films are free and open to the public.

Prior to each film the audience will be asked to consider thought-provoking discussion points. Following the film, there will be a brief interactive discussion led by staff from the Capital District Center for Independence and the Independent living Center of the Hudson Valley. There will be assistive listening devices available.

The Disability Film Festival is part of a series of events planned throughout the month of October to celebrate Disability Awareness Month. The film festival celebrates disability pride, diversity, culture and the natural role disability plays in our lives. Other events include Disability Mentoring Day during the week of October 18th, a celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognition awards on October 26th, Recreation Opportunity Day on October 30th and other activities. For further information on these events call Cindy Biance at the Capital District Center for Independence at 518/459-6422.

The Capital District group coordinating these events includes representatives of VESID's Independent Living Services program, VESID Capital District office, Department of Health's Disability and Health program, Capital District Transportation Authority, Capital District Center for Independence,
Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Office of the Advocate for People with Disabilities, Quad Design Inc. and the Developmental Disability Planning Council.

VESID and its network of 36 Independent Living Centers partner to help the University of the State of New York and the public and private sectors integrate disability rights and services into all aspects of community life to promote the capacity of people with disabilities to live self-determined lives.

The State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education. Started in 1836, the museum has the nation's longest continuously operating state natural history research and collection survey. The museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. Further information is available by calling 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

The New York State Museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week throughout the year except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.