This Is YOUR Right

Using the format of a television news show (sprinkled liberally with clever commercials meant to lighten a serious message), this human rights advocacy video features the fictitious HRTV (Human Rights TV), complete with anchor-person banter, remote segments, and journalistic interviews. What makes this such a brave venture is the fact that everyone on camera is disabled in some way. We watched the first tape in the set which focused on "Your Rights At Home" and "Your Medical Rights." The first segment featured an interview with T.J. Monroe, former resident of an institution who is now on a presidential committee, Group Homes for the Disabled. He speaks candidly on camera about himself, then interviews several other physically and mentally disabled people about the difficulties they encounter seeking independence, privacy and proper support. "Your Medical Rights" deals with entitlements, advocacy choices and other legalities. Here, we meet family therapist Michael Martin, born with cerebral palsy, who shows viewers hospital situations with which many of the disabled are all too familiar. The second tape covers "Your Right to Opportunity" and "Same Rights as Everyone Else." Inspirational, funny, courageous, informative--all of these words could be used to describe This Is YOUR Right. The set comes with an 18-page package of supplementary materials suitable for handouts at diversity training sessions, family organization or advocacy group meetings, or colleges with rehabilitation education programs and special student programs. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (E. Druda)