2015 TASH Conference

From the Northwest Down Syndrome Association and the All Born (in) movement: This session explores the “Belonging Video Project” as an example of how to use media to call others to action and help bridge the gap between the disability community and others. We will explore the accessibility of video technology and software on common devices. These tools can be used to create a project which enables everyone to share their voices and stories, as a well as invite others from diverse communities to join the conversation. First, we will explore the issue of “belonging” with a basic overview of brain research on the impact of isolation. We’ll discuss how we took such a complicated issue and turned it into a simple video project by breaking it down to questions everyone can answer and share. We’ll show clips from our Belonging Video Project which feature parents, educators, allies, and policy-makers sharing their ideas about creating an inclusive world. We’ll discuss how you can inspire a video media conversation in your community or organization, and explore accessibility and DIY ease of technology devices to record and share your thought-provoking ideas. And we will discuss tools to help you connect with a more diverse cross-section of the community, and unify your message with others. We all come from different backgrounds, but our need to belong is the same. Everyone is invited! We will be unveiling portions of the Belonging Video Project, created by Joni DeRouchie. To see a previous documentary by Joni entitled "We All Belong", go to https://youtu.be/AFoLsYDQzzY