Planet of the Blind

Scott Rains is Blogging for [with]tv

The following is an excerpt borrowed from Scott's post on The Rolling Rains Report:

[with]tv - A New and Different Voice

The Travel section of the [with]tv blog has been launched -- after much procrastination on my part and good humored patience on the part of others.

Yesterday's post, "Welcome to Travel Programs at [with]tv" sets a theme of travel as transformation. Whether that is the intellectual transformation gained by such stellar programs as MIUSA's student exchanges, the personal transformation gained from a good vacation, or the systemic transformation of projects from disability & development organizations such as Rosangela Berman Bieler's Inter-American Institute on Disability & Inclusive Development (Instituto Interamericano sobre Discapacidad y Desarrollo Inclusivo) it is still true that travel transforms.

Disability related TV programming: Call for Talent!

I just discovered this post: Talent Needed on the new [with]tv blog.  I've posted about this twice so far here and here and have even created a category called [with]tv. 

Steve and I will continue to talk about this because we believe in the mission of this company: "The Mission... To develop a mainstream media company broadcasting accessible content of, by, and for people with disabilities...and everyone else."

This is exciting people!!!!  This new cable TV program is not only in development now, but the President and Founder, Mr. Howard Renensland, is looking for our help and input.  C'mon folks - spread the word!  Get involved!  Show your support! 

Here is what I am going to do right now: I am going to write to Monica Moshenko of Disability News and Views Radio Show.  She and her son Alex are strong advocates for people with disabilities.  They are talented.  They have ideas.  And if Monica and Alex and Howard don't know each other yet, they should.

Now I know many of you reading this have talents.  You have experiences to share.  You're wise and well informed.  You know people.  Write to Howard Renensland won't you?  SPREAD THE  WORD! 

• Ruth, from Wheelie Catholic has in this post!  Thanks Ruth!

~ Connie

[with]tv: "a television channel of, by, and for people with disabilities...and everyone else."

I've written about this before in a post called Must See TV.  I'm pleased to do so again in support of [with]tv because folks, this is information that needs to be shared.  It's simple really.  Steve and I want to do what we can to help spread the word about this "television channel of, by, and for people with disabilities...and everyone else" currently under development.  We have no doubt that once YOU spend just a few minutes researching [with]tv links you will be eager to do the same.  This is a project  just exploding with potential and we, as in all of us, have an opportunity to play a role in its development and success.  Just take a look at this FAQ page for starters...

See what I mean? 

Let's get started shall we?

Here is a link to this brand new blog as well as a request to sign this guest book as a show of support.  (Tell 'em the Kuusisto's sent you!)  But there is more to be done.  We encourage you to continue following links to learn more. 

Join us in this effort won't you?  Help us spread the word...

Happy Blogging!

~ Connie

Must See TV

UPDATE to post below:

[with]tv: a television channel of, by, and for people with disabilities....and everyone else

Here is a link to this brand new blog as well as a request to sign this guest book as a show of support.  (Tell 'em the Kuusisto's sent you!)  But there is more to be done.  We encourage you to continue following links to learn more. 

Join us in this effort won't you?  Help us spread the word...

Happy Blogging!

~ Connie

Original post:

Once again, we need to thank Scott Lissner, ADA Coordinator at The Ohio State University for passing this along to us.  (Scott, I don't suppose we could talk you into being a contributor to this blog could we?)

Are you someone who lives with a disability?  Are you a friend or family member of someone who lives with a disability?  Do you or have you ever provided service to a person with a disability?  The chances are very good that your answer is YES to any or all of these questions. 

Since I can say YES to any or all of these questions the following letter, forwarded to us by Scott, caught my attention.  I decided to write to Mr. Howard Renensland and ask for permission to copy his letter in a post on our blog.  My inquiry was answered with in a couple of hours and to my delight, we had a warm exchange and well, who knows where this might lead.  I'm hoping it will pique your curiosity as it did mine because Howard and his team (including Scott Rains of the Rolling Rains Report!) are looking to spread the word and garner support.  I've got a few ideas already.  Steve and I are ready to roll up our sleeves.  How 'bout some of the rest of you?  You know who you are!  Monica, Scott, Lance, Penny, Kay, Amanda, David, Kathryn, Ed (of Project 3000), Bill , Rod , Georgia...Georgia, you need a blog...

Oh, I could go on and on but for now, I'd like to introduce to you Mr. Howard Renensland...

~ Connie

http://www.with-tv.com/
From: Howard Renensland Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: [with]tv

May 23, 2007

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Howard Renensland, CEO & Founder of [with]tv, a television channel of, by, and for people with disabilities...and everyone else.

On August 13, 1984 a wonderful event took place. My daughter Victoria, a person with a disability, was born. Watching her grow over the past 23 years and advocating with her for her inclusion has helped me to understand that the single most debilitating factor that limits people with disabilities is not their disability, but their image in and access to mainstream media, where their needs and participation as consumers and employees are almost totally absent and neglected. When profiled, they remain objects of extreme pity or extreme inspiration for those without disabilities. This image is not one of their choosing, but it is what sticks in the minds of the people. As long as others define you, you do not exist.

As I write this letter, there is no mainstream television channel in the world addressing the needs of and targeting people with disabilities as consumers, participants, and viewers. Today we correct that by creating [with]tv, an inclusive media outlet that defines all people by their talents and the quality of their stories, rather than by disability; a place where Victoria and everyone else with a disability can work in a universally designed workplace with a welcoming, inclusive workforce.

People with disabilities have a global need as individuals and as a community for access to information, employment, artistic expression and control of their image. [with]tv will provide all people with disabilities and their advocates a constant mainstream media voice where all issues important to the community can be explored and highlighted in news, information, reality, sport, dramatic and comedic programs. Furthermore, the need extends beyond people with disabilities. The disability community is a grossly underutilized source of talent and market-share for companies, making[with]tva win-win solution for individuals, society, and business.

Please be kind enough to visit our preliminary web site http://www.with-tv.com/. There you will find our Mission Statement and Statement of Purpose on our Home Page. Under Investor you will find our Business Plans Executive Summary, a copy of which I will attach here. You will also find our April Update, which will highlight our recent progress.

Howard Renensland         
President & Founder
[with]tv
P. O. Box 685                                       
Wilton, Connecticut, 06897                              
http://with-tv.com 
mailto:[email protected]