Lives Worth Living: The Great Fight for Disability Rights

In person event at Natick High School. Please register to reserve your spot for this free program! Suggested for youth ages 15+ and adult community members.

How can we make our communities more welcoming and accessible for people with disabilities? Join us for a special screening of "Lives Worth Living," a documentary film that highlights the story of activists fighting for equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities, which culminated in the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The program will feature:

• The film's director and a panel of local disability rights leaders who will share resources and reflections on how to get involved to promote inclusion for ALL people.
• An opportunity to connect with community partners and neighbors before and after the screening.

The event is brought to you by: SPARK Kindness, Natick Commission on Disability, Natick is United, and MassNAELA.

• Doors open at 6:30pm with an opportunity to connect with community organizations and resources related to disability and special needs advocacy. Organizations include: Camp Arrowhead, Dion Foundation, Easterseals Massachusetts, Mass Cultural Council, Mass NAELA, NAMI Massachusetts, Natick Commission on Disability, Natick Is United, Natick SEPAC, Natick Veterans Services, PATH, Skyline (Natick Recreation & Parks), Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England, SPARK Kindness, #TeachDisabilityHistory, Understanding Our Differences
• Film screening starts at 7pm (film duration: 56 minutes).
• Panel discussion, including audience Q&A, to immediately follow at 8pm. Panelists include: Dr. Linda Long-Belill (Asst. Professor UMASS), Desiree Forte (Youth Program Manager: Easterseals, MA), Dani Newland (Chair: Natick SEPAC), Marina Shelton (Member: Easterseals MA #TeachDisabilityHistory Campaign Committee), Lori Zalt (Chairwoman: Natick Commission on Disability) and moderator Eric Neudel (Director of Lives Worth Living).

SPARK Kindness is committed to providing events that are accessible to all community members. This film is open captioned and will be shown with audio description. Live ASL interpretation will be provided for the film introduction and panel conversation. Please contact us with accommodation questions at info@sparkkindness.org. SPARK Kindness is an Autism Welcoming Organization. View the "Know Before You Go" for location and parking details here.

About The Filmmakers:

Eric Neudel (Director) has been an editor and producer of many PBS programs, including “After The Crash” and “Vietnam: A Television History” for The American Experience, and “Eyes On The Prize,” “The U.S. and The Philippines: In Our Image,” and “AIDS: Chapter One” for NOVA. His independent films include “Steps” (1980) and “Fred’s Story” (1994). Eric directed the critically acclaimed Independent Lens film “Lives Worth Living” (2011) and served as a film envoy, film expert, and speaker for the US Department of State’s cultural exchange programs, including the American Film Showcase. He curated America’s Disability Rights Museum on Wheels which has been touring the country since 2015.

Alison Gilkey (Producer) has been a principal partner and producer at Storyline Motion Pictures since 2008. She is the producer of the acclaimed PBS documentary “Lives Worth Living” and its educational version, “The Great Fight for Disability Rights.” She produced and directed the educational film “At Your Service" (2015). Alison has served as a film envoy, film expert, and speaker for the US Department of State’s cultural exchange program, including the American Film Showcase, traveling to Laos, Vietnam, Russia, Pakistan, and Venezuela. She curated “America’s Disability Rights Museum on Wheels” which has been touring the country since 2015.