REELABILITIES: NY DISABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL 2010

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 2, 2010


The Second Annual Reelabilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. The festival presents award winning films in various locations throughout the NY metropolitan area. Please check the QSAC website regularly for up to date information regarding workshops, discussions and other engaging programs. 
SELECTION OF FILMS:

MARY & MAX
Adam Elliot / Australia / 80 minutes / Narrative

A tale of pen-friendship between a lonely eight year old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and a 44 year old Jewish man with Aspergers Syndrome living in the chaos of New York.

HENRY O!

Ziad H. Hamzeh / USA / 76 minutes / Documentary

HENRY O! tells the story of Enrique (Henry) Oliu, a blind baseball commentator. Calling upon his love for sports and an encyclopedic memory for facts and figures, Henry hears the crack of the bat and knows if it's a single, double, or home run. At his side in the broadcast booth is his wife Deb, whispering in his ear up-to-the-minute stats.

MAGIC HOUR

Various directors / UK / 75 minutes

A compilation of short stories by five different directors who each have a disability: Paraphernalia- live action / 3D; Hands Solo- Comic mockumentary about a deaf porn; Buttermouth- Mesmerizing stop motion animation about blind mother and daughter; The Hunger House- Searing drama set in World War 2 Germany; Follow Me on my Journey to Die- black comedy about a Euthanasia craze hitting London’s fashion victims.

NOBODY’S PERFECT

Niko von Glasow / Germany / 84 minutes / Documentary

12 people who were born disabled due to the side-effects of Thalidomide pose naked for a photo calendar, raising issues of body image and social acceptance.

BEESWAX

Andrew Bujalski / USA / 100 minutes / Narrative

A story of the modern relationships of a lost generation. The film follows Jeannie and Lauren, twin sisters, as they come to terms with taking responsibility and owning their lives.

SHOOTING BEAUTY

George Kachadorian / USA / 62 minutes / Documentary

The story of fashion photographer Courtney Bent whose career takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden world of beauty at a center for people living with significant disabilities.

ZIG ZAG LOVE

Gillies MacKinnon / UK / 59 minutes / Narrative

A bittersweet drama focusing on the blossoming relationship between teenage cancer patient Peter, and Ziggy, a girl with cerebral palsy.

COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

Julie Anne Robinson / UK / 80 minutes / Narrative

Teenager David feels his family's world revolves around the needs of his brother Ben who has Down's syndrome. His antipathy to Ben grows and grows to the point where he decides to push him off a mountain and get rid of him once and for all...

WHITE BALANCE

Dorit Hakim / Israel / 45minutes / Narrative

Twelve-year-old Itamar has a deep passion for ice skating. When he is slowly losing his hearing, and therefore his balance, together with his skating partner he struggles and grows within a complicated world of adolescence.

WARRIOR CHAMPIONS

Brent and Craig Renaud / USA, China / 80 minutes / Documentary

The story of a group of severely wounded American Soldiers, as little as a year after losing limbs and suffering paralysis fighting for their country in Iraq, set out to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. An uplifting testament to the human spirit that challenges every notion of what it means to be disabled.

CONFIRMED VENUES TO DATE:

MANHATTAN

The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave.

NYU, King Juan Carlos Building, 53 Washington Square South



BRONX

Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse 



WESTCHESTER

JCC of Mid-Westchester, Bendheim Theater, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale



STATEN ISLAND

JCC of Staten Island, 1466 Manor Road


LONG ISLAND

Abilities!, Smeal Learning Center, 201 I.U. Willets. Rd, Albertson
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington
 Roosevelt Island
Coler – Goldwater, One Main Street


ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

All films are captioned or subtitled and all venues are wheelchair accessible.

ASL interpretation and Live Audio Description will be provided upon advanced request.

QSAC Takes Top Prize in TV Contest

Quality Services for the Autism Community was the grand-prize winner in the Chronicle of Philanthropy national VolunTV Challenge, which invited people to create their own ideas of how volunteerism could be incorporated into their favorite television shows.

As the grand-prize winner QSAC wins $5,000 from the Chronicle and a full page ad in the November issue announcing the prize. The entry was submitted by Joe Moran, Assistant Director of Multimedia Development and Marissa Goldberg, Development Associate, at the autism group, who created a video showing how 30 Rock could highlight the organization’s work in one of its episodes. The plot twist involves a cast member’s confusion over the words “artistic” and “autistic.”



Gary Maffei, Executive Director of QSAC stated, “We were excited to have our entry chosen as the grand prize winner. It’s a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated people as Joe Moran and Marissa Goldberg on a daily basis.”

The contest was inspired by the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s iParticipate promotion, which featured more than 100 network and cable shows that included the theme of volunteerism into their programs during the week of October 19-25. Entrants in the Chronicle contest were encouraged to submit ideas of how they would incorporate their favorite charities into the plot lines of popular TV shows. More than 150 people entered the contest — and a committee of judges, including entertainment officials, celebrities, and nonprofit experts, awarded prizes to the top three entries.

QSAC, one of the largest agencies dedicated specifically to autism and an award-winning organization, provides comprehensive services and programs to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families in New York City and Long Island. Founded in 1978, QSAC today has 21 facilities in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, and Nassau County. Over 2,000 people benefit yearly from its programs, including 900 individuals who receive direct services. Many of QSAC’s participants represent challenging cases referred to QSAC by the Boards of Education and New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. All of QSAC services are geared towards providing people with autism with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to lead a more independent, productive and fulfilled life.

Moran and Goldberg also are partners in MorGold Media (www.morgoldmedia.com), a production company that develops content for mixed media and live performance.

More at: Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Queens Gazette

BGC Partners Names QSAC Beneficiary of 9/11 Charity Day Event

BGC Partners Inc., a major inter-dealer broker named for B. Gerald Cantor, the founder of Cantor Fitzgerald, has selected QSAC as one of a dozen New York-based nonprofit organizations to benefit from its annual Charity Day on September 11, 2009. Since the first Charity Day in 2004, BGC has raised over $20 million, contributing their entire trading commissions for that day to more than one hundred charitable organizations throughout the world.

Mark Webster, Executive Managing Director and General Manager for the Americas at BGC commented: “We are thrilled to have QSAC back for BGC’s fifth annual Charity Day. By raising the profile of autism and providing comprehensive support and services to autistic children and their families, QSAC is encouraging and making a vast difference in the lives of many.”

On Charity Day, celebrities representing the charities help raise funds by assisting professional brokers with trades of financial products to BGC's institutional clients. This year, Didi Conn, actress and comedienne, Peter X. Kelly, extraordinary chef and winner of the Iron Chef, and Mets’ Ed Kranepool, 1965 All Stars and 1969 World Champion, will serve as QSAC’s ambassadors.

According to Gary A. Maffei, Executive Director of QSAC, “to be a beneficiary of Charity Day is a tremendous opportunity for us to generate funds which could not have come at a better time given the state of today’s economy. We are grateful to BGC - being selected for the second consecutive year is both an honor and a vote of confidence for the work that QSAC does.

Help QSAC raise $20,000 with Box Tops for Education!

We have registered QSAC for the Box Tops for Education program. We can raise as much as $20,000 a year for the education of our children! It is very easy and you can all help!

Box Tops offers three easy ways to earn cash for our school through everyday activities such as buying groceries, shopping online and purchasing books.

Clip — Look for this coupon on hundreds of participating products. Clip and bring them to QSAC. There will be a drop off box in every QSAC location for your convenience. Parents, you can also send them with your children directly. Box Tops coupons are worth 10¢ each when our school redeems them from Box Tops for Education. Make sure you ask your friends and neighbors to participate as well. Ask your employer if you can promote the program at work too. We will gladly prepare a drop off box if you so desire. A few examples of the products with coupons:



Shop — Shop at your favorite online stores through the Box Tops MarketplaceSM
(btfe.com/marketplace). Up to 8% of each qualifying purchase is automatically donated to our school. There is no additional cost to your purchase and many exclusive deals and discounts can be found! A few examples:



Buy books — Purchase books online at Barnes & Noble through the Box Tops Reading RoomSM. Our school will receive 6% of your new book purchases and 3% of all other online purchases.

One of the easiest ways you can help is to sign up to support our school at btfe.com. You will learn about new and easy ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Exclusive web benefits:

• See how much our school is earning with Box Tops
• Enter online promotions for chances to win Bonus Box Tops
• Print money-saving coupons for your favorite Box Tops brands
• Make mealtime easier with family-pleasing recipes

Plus, you can sign up for email newsletters to receive new product updates, and Box Tops members-only deals and discounts at Box Tops MarketplaceSM retail stores. To learn more, visit btfe.com—and thanks for choosing to make a difference for our school with Box Tops!

If you have any questions, please contact Danièle Favre-Panayotatos via email, danielefp@qsac.com, or call me at 212-244-5560 ext. 2016.

A Brighter World with Goldman Sachs

For the second consecutive year, QSAC was selected as a beneficiary of the Goldman Sachs Community Teamwork (CTW) program. On Saturday, August 15, twelve Goldman Sachs employees descended upon the QSAC Day School in Whitestone and spent the day beautifying the hallways, bathroom, classrooms, and the gym. Joining them were staff members Lisa Veglia, Danièle Favre-Panayotatos, Mariann Lai, Daniel Nemeth, Erica Lester, Marissa Goldberg, Almando Cocar, Billy Naeves, and Miguel Sierra. Goldman Sachs also covered the cost of the paint and material used throughout the day with a generous grant of $2,090. Every summer, Goldman Sachs grants one day off for each employee to volunteer in a team-based project for a local non-profit organization. The program reflects Goldman Sachs' dedication to supporting and honoring the communities where their employees work and live.

View the photo gallery!

Shop at Home Depot – Help QSAC

We are happy to inform you that Home Depot is offering QSAC up to 2% for every purchase made by our friends. It is easy: simply affix a label to the back of any credit card, keychain, wallet, etc. and present it when paying for your purchases.

We urge you to participate in the program and encourage you to distribute a label to each of the contractors, repairmen, gardeners, handymen in your circle!

Please let us know how many labels you need as soon as possible. The program runs through the end of December 2009.

To request a label, please email mgoldberg@qsac.com.

Thank you!

2009-2010 Free Training Series

Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
Presents
What’s Out There and How to Get It
2009-2010 Free Training Series
For Families and Professionals Needing Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities
Gary Shulman, MS.Ed.:212-677-4650


Queens: QSAC
25-09 Broadway Astoria, NY 11106
(Trains N, W to Broadway)

11/9/09 "The Earlier the Better " Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
12/7/09 "Preparing for High School" Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
1/11/10 "Life After High School " Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
2/8/10 "Turning 5" Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
3/22/10 "The Earlier the Better" Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
4/12/10 "HELP!: Family Support Services " Gary Shulman 10AM-12Noon
5/10/10 "Preparing for High School" Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
6/14/10 "Getting Special Education for the First Time" Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM

Bronx: Jewish Child Care Association
Jewish Child Care Association 555 Bergen Ave. Bronx 10455
(Trains 2, 5 to Third Avenue/149th Street)

11/4/09 “Getting Ed. Services for the First Time” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
12/2/09 “Preparing for H.S.” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
1/6/10 “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
2/3/10 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM
3/3/10 “HELP! Family Support Services” Gary Shulman 10AM-12 Noon
4/7/10 “Life After H.S.” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
5/5/10 “Turning 5” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
6/2/10 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM
6/23/10 “Preparing for H.S.” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM

Brooklyn: Challenge
649 39th St Brooklyn, NY 11232
(Trains D,M 9th Ave. or D,M,N,R to 36th St.)

4/28/09 Evening Workshop “HELP! Family Support Services” 7PM-9PM (simultaneous translation will be provided in Spanish)

Brooklyn: Brooklyn Heights Library
Brooklyn Heights Library 280 Cadman Plaza West Bklyn. 11201
(Trains 2,3,4,5, to Borough Hall; M,N, R to Court Street; A,C to High Street)

10/30/09 “Life After H.S.” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
12/4/09 “HELP!: Family Support Services” 10AM-1PM
3/12/10 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM

Brooklyn: Grand Army Plaza Library
Central Library Grand Army Plaza Flatbush Ave. and Eastern Parkway 11238
(Trains 2,3 to Grand Army Plaza or Eastern Parkway; Q,B to 7th Avenue)

10/21/09 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM
11/18/09 “The Earlier The Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
12/17/09 “Life After H.S.” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
1/21/10 “Turning 5” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
2/10/10 “Preparing for H.S.” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
3/10/10 “Getting Special Ed. Services for the 1st Time” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
4/21/10 “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM

Manhattan: RCSN
Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. 116 E. 16th St. 5th Floor NY, NY 10003
(Trains 4,5,6,L,N,Q,R, W, to 14th Street/
Union Square)

10/28/09 “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
11/24/09 “Turning 5” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
12/16/09 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM
1/12/10 “Getting Special Ed. Services for the 1st Time” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
2/23/10 “Preparing for High School” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
3/16/10 “Life After H.S.” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
5/12/10 “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
5/26/10 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L. Salazar 10AM-1PM
6/9/10 “Life After HS” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM

Manhattan: Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library 40 W. 20th St. NYC 10011
(Trains F,V, N,R,6 to 23rd Street)

Nov. 10. 2009: “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM
Nov. 19, 2009: “Life After H.S.” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM
Dec. 3, 2009: “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
Dec. 9, 2009: “Help!: Family Support Services” Gary Shulman 10AM-12Noon
Jan. 13, 2010: “Preparing for H.S.” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
Feb. 14, 2010: “Getting Special Ed. Services For First Time” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM
March 17, 2009: “Turning 5” Jean Mizutani 10AM-1PM

Manhattan: Northside Center for Child Development
1301 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10029
(Trains 2,3,6 to 110th St.)

11/20/09 “Una Buena IDEA” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM (en español)
12/11/09 “A Good IDEA?” Miguel L.Salazar 10AM-1PM


Staten Island: Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of SI
Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island
1466 Manor Road, Staten Island NY 10314
(Call for directions 718-475-5225)

12/14/09: “The Earlier the Better” Nina Lublin 10AM-1PM
1/20/10 “A Good IDEA? Miguel Salazar 10AM-1PM
3/11/10 “Preparing for High School” Mariko Sakita 10AM-1PM
3/23/10 “HELP! Support Services” Gary Shulman 10AM-12Noon
4/20/10 “Life After High School” Helene Craner 10AM-1PM

gshulman@resourcesnyc.org
www.resourcesnyc.org
www.resourcesnycdatabase.org : searchable website