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 This first of three videos gives SARC's vision as it works with 70 agencies. Photo courtesy DMT Photography Unit |
 The 'Choices' video promotes the right to housing for people with intellectual disabilities. Photo courtesy DMT Photography Unit |
The U of S Division of Media & Technology (DMT) won praise from community groups and U of S leaders this fall as it launched another two in what is becoming a series of video productions in support of organizations working on behalf of people with disabilities.
DMT Media Producer Shannon Cossette says official launches of the two videos were held in DMT's Studio-B facility in the Education Building on campus.
Cossette says the launch of the video 'Choices: Empowerment for Living' took place Sept. 26. The program was done with and for the Self-Advocacy Project, which began in 1998 with support from the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living's (SACL) Grassroots Alliance. The Alliance is part of a national inclusion initiative funded by Human Resources Development Canada, which also funded this video.
Cossette says Self-Advocacy Project members, including people with intellectual disabilities, determined the message, format and use of the Choices video. Along with self-advocacy worker Grace Kroeker, their goal was to produce a video with a common voice that could inspire and educate self-advocates and their families about the right of all individuals to live a good life in their community - and specifically the right of people with intellectual disabilities to have a home of their choice, using available supports as needed.
The video will be used in some U of S classes, including Social Welfare and Organization, Health Illness and Health Care, and Community Development in Canada.
"It will also be used across Canada through provincial associations and the National Community Inclusion Initiative," Cossette says.
SACL Executive Director Faith Bodnar said, "this video provides a good platform for self-advocates to say what they want and for them to be at the centre of decision-making."
At the launch, Rick Bunt, U of S Associate Vice-President for Information and Communications Technology, told the Self-Advocacy Project, "You have successfully created a tool that will help support other self-advocates, families, service providers, and educators."
Production work on Choices was done by Cossette and fellow DMT Media Producer David Danyluk, along with Writer Karin Melberg Schwier and DMT Editors Michael Milo and Wayne Giesbrecht.
On Oct. 24 a launch was held for another DMT-produced video - 'SARC - The People Matter, The Work Matters'.
The video, meant to be the first of a series of three, gives an overview of the vision, leadership and support provided by SARC - the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres. SARC is a non-profit association of more than 70 community agencies that provide environments offering challenges and opportunities for Saskatchewan people with disabilities. The network of SARCAN bottle recycling plants is an example of such an agency.
Videos 2 and 3 in this DMT-produced series will take an in-depth look at Supported Employment Transition Initiatives around Saskatchewan.
SARC representatives Marlene Drake, Jamie Ryan, Tracey Meyers, and Faye Anderson worked with DMT's Director/Writer Lorene Jewitt, Producer Shannon Cossette, Editor Michael Milo, Sound Editor Wayne Giesbrecht, and a DMT crew.
Cossette said, "We are very proud to be involved in initiatives such as the Self-Advocacy Project video, SARC, the (earlier) PDD/Autism video series, and we recognize there are many more topics to be explored and brought to light around issues of inclusion. It's exciting this will also bring valuable information to our classrooms."
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