People Inc.

BUFFALO, N.Y., September 15, 2006: The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., will host the 2nd Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the month of October. The series will take place at the Dipson Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main Street in Buffalo. Admission is $2 per person and free for students with proper I.D.

The Film Festival targets students, educators, families, human service professionals, self advocates, and movie-goers. The goal is to provide entertainment and information while exploring issues faced by people with disabilities. The programs are intended to educate viewers about disabilities, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to popular culture. There will be a presentation and discussion by a variety of speakers following the showing of each film.

People Inc. is pleased to announce that Mark Zupan, Paralympic Rugby Athlete from the film Murderball, will be a speaker on October 14 when the film is featured. Following the film and discussion, he will sign copies of his book: GIMP: When Life Deals You a Crappy Hand, You Can Fold - or You Can Play. Award winning producer Duane Graves will be the featured speaker on October 28. Graves produced and edited the film Up Syndrome, which won three Best Documentary awards including the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival.

The schedule of the films and speakers are as follows:

October 7: The Ringer (PG-13)
Speaker: Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D., People Inc. Executive Vice President

October 14: Murderball (R)
Speaker: Mark Zupan, star of Murderball, Bronze Paralympian Following the discussion, Mark will sign copies of his book: GIMP: When Life Deals You a Crappy Hand, You Can Fold – or You Can Play

October 21: Family Day – featuring a collection of shorts – The Great Little Mouse, Smudge, and Educating Peter (free of charge for families)
Speakers: People Inc.’s Kids on the Block Educational Puppet Troupe

October 28: Up Syndrome (Unrated – Strong Language)
Speaker: Duane Graves; write, director, producer, and editor of Up Syndrome

For more information, visit www.disabilityfilmfest.org or call (716) 817-7261.

The Museum of disABILITY History is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs, and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History is the only bricks and mortar museum in the United States. For more information, visit www.museumofdisability.org.

People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human service agency providing programs and services to more than 10,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Nicole Passantino
Marketing and Communications Manager
Direct Dial: (716) 817-7469
Cellular: (716) 440-5161