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The DHRN has been member driven in defining projects worthy of pushing the disability health agenda forward. During the Disability & Technology: Qualities of Connection conference held on March 14th, 2008, members were asked to take part in funding strategy and program development. The DHRN funded Video Project  was one result of these conversations. The DHRN is pleased to present five videos that were funded as a result.

To view these videos click here.

Ready To Roll?

Ben Mortenson
For most individuals living in residential care, wheelchairs are their primary means of mobility. Despite their intuitive benefits, however, little research has been done on how wheelchairs are used in these settings.

This video illustrates the findings of research done to learn about the lives of these residents and identify ways to improve their mobility and participation in activity by sharing the stories of three residents. This video emphasizes the pivotal role that wheelchairs play for these residents, reveals institutional procedures that may curtail their mobility and activity, and suggests potential policy and practice changes that may improve the quality of their lives.

Disability Research Integration

Andy Hoffer
The SFU Centre for Disability Independence Research and Education (CDIRE) promotional video was produced by Scionized Media of Port Moody, BC in December 2008/January 2009 -- hence the wintry scenery.  Katrina Hoffer, a third-year SFU communications student, created the script and directed the interviews. Justin Hwang, a third-year UBC film student, shot and edited the video footage. The interviewed subjects were students, faculty, and staff participants in CDIRE-sponsored activities.

Wireless Technologies For People With Disabilities

Gary Birch
This video highlights some of the research currently being done to make wireless technologies more accessible.  A number of assistive technologies have been developed over the past years for persons with significant physical disabilities to help them with their activities of daily living.  Stand-alone devices, as well as solutions that make use of commercially available technologies such as personal computers have given people more control over their home environments.

When people are away from their homes, however, there are fewer options.  Researchers are now looking at harnessing the capabilities of wireless devices to serve persons with disabilities when they are out and about.  The research includes developing methods of making mobile phones more accessible. This includes examining the many wireless features and services available to mobile users and determining which of those can best serve persons with disabilities. In addition, the accessibility of new services as they become available needs to be addressed. 

Fine Arts And Disability

Sara Lige
This film concerns the documentation and validation of artists with developmental disabilities. As an artist and parent of an adult child with a developmental disability, Sara realized that this population has had limited opportunity to access creative expression. It appears that an association between developmental disabilities and the arts is generally assumed to be therapy. There is little recognition of persons with developmental disabilities being creative people.

Research has shown a correlation between participation in art based activities and overall health for all people, therefore equal access becomes a health issue as well as one concerned with arts and culture. The methodology of this research project is emancipatory. The goals of the research are to educate the larger community concerning the abilities of adults with developmental disabilities and promote awareness; the intent is also to give voice to a marginalized population.

This film was made as part of a Special Topics graduate level course at UBCO with Professor Stephen Foster.

Embracing the Challenges And Celebrating the Success

This short video profiles four individuals with disabilities and some of their accomplishments working, volunteering and participating in recreational activities.  Hannah lives with Angelman’s Syndrome, Meliah with Down ’s Syndrome, Taylor with Cerebral Palsy and Mathew with cognitive and physical impairments including significant challenges with speech. As the vignettes suggest each of these individuals is making significant contributions learning at school, playing sports, volunteering and working. Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious.  For example, Mathew volunteers and works on a project basis with CanAssist. When he is sick or on holiday he is missed by all the staff.  Mathew brightens everyone’s days at CanAssist and gets a great deal accomplished. These short scenarios are set in context to demonstrate the important role that research plays in setting the stage for individual success and contribution.  This video was prepared by four CanAssist staff who filmed one individual each as part of a video training program. They included Michelle Cho, Tara Kelk, Ivan Petrovic and Elsa Yan. All were trained by Scott Earle, a Victoria based film/video consultant.