Washington, D.C. – On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) -- the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. Now 19 years later the law still resonates with a powerful history and that is impacting everything from the Healthcare bill and Justice Sotomyerʼs nomination, to the race for the American presidency.
On the eve of the 19th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a coalition of Americans with Disabilities will embark upon a national media and political awareness campaign called, "Itʼs Our Story!" This ambitious video oral history project created by Scott Cooper and has been supported by a cast of thousands. It captures the stories of living with a disability in America from 1,000 voices and 100 cities visited since 2005.
"Itʼs Our Story" is a video oral history project that uncovers the power, pride, and personal struggles of living with a disability. "The Itʼs Our Story initiative is the most ambitious and holds the most comprehensive history of this unique civil rights struggle," said Judith Heumann, Director of the Department of Disability Services for the District of Columbia and one of the most illustrious leaders of the disability community. Scott Cooper, the projectʼs creator, states that, "at the projectʼs core lie over 6000 testimonies of what is was like, is and should be like to live with
a disability in America."
Today, 54 million people in the United States live with some type of disability. After years of stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, people with disabilities still encounter barriers. Victor Pineda, a new generation leader of the movement has been supporting the national initiative through his foundation. Mr. Pineda states, "It's a uniquely American story and challenges our most fundamental values of freedom, autonomy, and independence. However, barriers still exist for young people with disabilities. Our community still has the highest unemployment rate, the highest poverty rate and the highest social isolation barriers to overcome."
Itʼs Our Story shares unique knowledge, personal insight, and shares the wisdom necessary to unlock our human potential. By October of 2009, one thousand people from one hundred cities will have contributed their personal video testimony. The project is a tribute to the late Justin Dart Jr. and the thousands of advocates that made the ADA a reality. "Itʼs Our Story" combines itʼs 1,000 video oral histories with Mr. Darts "Discrimination Diaries," a collection of five thousand hand written testimonials from all fifty states that showed the dilemma that people with disabilities faced, and by so doing paved the way for the landmark American with Disabilities Act. Together, these primary sources will literally impact the world in ways never before imagined through the art of storytelling, empowering the online world to take control of the narrative and lead us into an exciting new future.
On July 26, 2010, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, a virtual social network website will be premiered. A modern communication tool to disseminate information to our next generation of leaders and the communities they serve. This website will be easily accessible for people with disabilities. We expect "Itʼs Our Story," to accomplish the following:
* People with and without disabilities from all backgrounds recognize themselves in these oral histories and stories, and will be inspired to assume leadership roles in their communities;
* The general public will come to understand that those of us with disabilities are just like them, having the same dreams, hopes, fears, and desires for a good and meaningful life;
* Policy-makers will acquire knowledge to make better decisions that affect people with disabilities, and will understand the wisdom of partnering with people with disabilities when making decisions and crafting policy;
* Researchers, students, teachers, and trainers will be able to use the archive for educational projects, to create training materials, and research a variety of disability-related issues.
* People with and without disabilities will be able to use the website archive to assemble education and outreach projects, and in the process acquire skills in media, filmmaking, journalism, advertising, and communications.
