From the National Disability Institute, June 30, 2010
Washington, D.C. (June 30, 2010) – To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark piece of federal legislation that opened up services and employment opportunities to millions of Americans with disabilities, the National Disability Institute (NDI) today launched a nationwide video contest encouraging persons with disabilities and their families to capture their American Dream and how they are working to achieve it on video. One grand prize winner of the Defining the New American Dream video contest will receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. for their winning video to be viewed at NDI’s Real Economic Impact Tour’s (REI Tour) National Kick-off at the National Press Club on Oct. 19, 2010.
"The Defining the New American Dream video contest is a meaningful way for veterans and other Americans with disabilities and their families to share their powerful stories that showcase economic self-sufficiency, happiness and hope," says Michael Morris, JD, Executive Director, National Disability Institute, Washington, D.C. "Our goal with this contest is to highlight the positive impact the Americans with Disabilities Act has had on the lives of the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities and on society at large," he added.
Participants are encouraged to submit three-minute videos that tell the story of how they are working to achieve their American Dream, whether it is to buy a home, have a job, go to school or start your their own business. The video contest begins July 1, 2010 and all entries must be received by August 13, 2010.
The purpose statement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states clearly that the "Nation’s proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals."
To learn more about the Defining the New American Dream video contest, go to http://dream.realeconomicimpact.org.
The National Disability Institute is a national research and development non-profit working to build a better economic future for Americans with disabilities. We envision a world where people with disabilities have equal opportunity to achieve financial stability and independence as people without disabilities. For more information, visit www.realeconomicimpact.org