Smart Talk: Opportunities for disabled expanding?; Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, September 9, 2015:

The Americans with Disabilities Act became law 25 years ago.  The ADA banned discrimination based on disability and was intended to ensure equal opportunity in employment.  The law also required accommodations for people with disabilities in public and commercial facilities as well in public transportation.

A quarter of a century later, there is good and bad news.  On the negative side — fewer than one in five persons with a disability are employed and as a result, many live in poverty.  However, at least anecdotally, we’re hearing of more persons with disabilities who are working at jobs or in careers they would have never been considered for just a few years ago.  As educational opportunities become more available more persons with disabilities could obtain jobs or start careers with better incomes and are more secure.

The D.R.E.A.M. Partnership is designed to make post-secondary educations available to students with intellectual disabilities.

Executive Director Sherri Landis and Board Chair Donna Partin appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk along with Matthew Ernst, Director of Therapeutic Recreation with Easter Seals of Western and Central Pennsylvania to discuss the changing landscape.

Also, there will be 31 films of all kinds in three days this weekend at the Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival.

Joining us on Wednesday’s program to describe what to expect and the goals of the festival are Hamza Ahmad, Founder of the Harrisburg Hershey Film Festival, Stuart Landon, Director of Community Engagement at Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg and filmmaker Dr. Kevin Boone.