Ryerson University—Rogers Communications Centre Building—Room 204 (RCC204)
80 Gould Street, Toronto
A group of Ryerson media students have produced a documentary film about families who live with autism in Ontario. The film profiles the family of Bruce and Laura McIntosh and examines their experiences raising their son, Clifford, who has autism. It also looks at their experience as activists, and co-founders of the Ontario Autism Coalition, a grassroots organization of parents fighting for better services for children with autism in Ontario.
The documentary includes interviews with Deb Matthews, the Minister of Children and Youth for Ontario, and Kathleen Wynne, the Minister of Education, about the new “Benchmarks” system soon to be implemented to discharge children in the Autism Intervention Program.
The film also profiles a little girl named Delanie Ceretti, who had her IBI funding cut off by the provincial government after a 45 minute “assessment” by Regional Program staffers who were likely using the new Benchmarks criteria. Her father Paul is now pitted against “the system.”
There is no admission charge for this event.
Alex Barton, is a five-year-old boy in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Wendy Portillo, Alex’s kindergarten teacher recently humiliated him by have the other students in the class take turns telling Alex “what they don’t like about him.” She followed this up by having the students vote on whether Alex should stay in the class or not. Alex was kicked out, by a 14-2 margin.
Hot Docs is pleased to announce the March Doc Soup screening of Tricia Regan’s AUTISM: THE MUSICAL on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30 and 9:15 pm at the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West. Described as “moving, dramatic…astonishing” by Variety and “a marvelous new documentary” by the New York Times, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL has won audience awards at numerous film festivals, including the Palm Springs Festival. Director Tricia Regan will be in attendance to introduce the film and to participate in post-screening discussions with the audience.
AUTISM: THE MUSICAL is about one woman’s optimistic pledge to lead a group of autistic children in defying diagnosed expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own full-length musical through The Miracle Project.
The Miracle Project is an innovative and exciting musical theater programme that brings together conventionally developing children and children with special needs in an atmosphere of creativity, acceptance and joy. The Miracle Project was created by Elaine Hall, founder of Kids On Stage, Inc., as a theater and video arts programme that emphasizes creativity, self expression and social consciousness.
Following five Los Angeles children over the course of six months, director Tricia Regan captures the struggles and triumphs of their family lives and observes how this musical production creates a comfort zone in which the performers can explore their creative sides.
Both on and off stage, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL is a call-to-arms, bringing attention to a modern-day epidemic, all the while celebrating the way the human spirit can overcome any challenge.
TICKETS: Doc Soup screenings regularly sell-out, with only a limited number of tickets being sold in advance at www.hotdocs.ca. Tickets for individual Doc Soup screenings are $12 at the door. A limited number of free tickets to the 9:15 pm screening are available at the door for students with valid I.D., courtesy of the Toronto Star.
Each month, from October 2007 to April 2008, Doc Soup showcases the latest in Canadian and international documentary cinema for Toronto audiences. The final subsequent screening date for the Doc Soup 2007-08 season is April 2. For further information and programming updates, please visit the Hot Docs website at www.hotdocs.ca.
After participating in a roundtable discussion with parents of children with Autism, John Tory vowed to end years of waiting and give them and their families the support they need to learn, develop and reach their full potential.
The Leaders Debate for the Ontario election was televised from the CBC Front Street Studios on Sept 20, 2007. The Ontario Autism Coalition was there both before and after to remind the Leaders that Autism issues are important and much more remains to be done.
This video contains footage of the OAC at the broadcast centre after the debate was over.
The Leaders Debate for the Ontario election was televised from the CBC Front Street Studios on Sept 20, 2007. The Ontario Autism Coalition was there both before and after to remind the Leaders that Autism issues are important and much more remains to be done.
This video contains news coverage of the debate broadcast by CBC News including a comment by John Tory about Autism.
The Leaders Debate for the Ontario election was televised from the CBC Front Street Studios on Sept 20, 2007. The Ontario Autism Coalition was there both before and after to remind the Leaders that Autism issues are important and much more remains to be done.
The scene outside the Ontario Leaders Debate - Thursday September 20th, 2007
The Leaders Debate for the Ontario election was televised from the CBC Front Street Studios on Sept 20, 2007. The Ontario Autism Coalition was there both before and after to remind the Leaders that Autism issues are important and much more remains to be done.
This video contains segments from the broadcast relevant to the Autism Community.
The NDP visited an Autism Therapy Centre on Sept 10 2007 to discuss issues concerning families with Autism. The OAC was there and provides this complete coverage of the event.
Due to YouTube up-load limitations we cannot provide the entire event in a single video download, and have had to break the video into 3 parts.
The OAC attended the Liberal Campaign Kickoff at Marc Garneau High School in Toronto and asked the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education about the $10N platform plank for IBI in schools..
The OAC was at the NDP Campaign launch in Toronto to ensure that Autism issues remain an important part of the NDP platform…
This video includes footage of members canvassing NDP members before the event plus segments of the speech by Howard Hampton, leader of the Ontario NDP where he discusses Autism issues.
The OAC attended the NDP campaign launch in Toronto to ensure that Autism issues remain an important election issue. This video contains media interviews in english and french which occurred at the event.
