Latino role models were featured in several documentaries and CD-Roms shown to conference participants, prompting lively discussions in the session about how to use media to support advocacy initiatives. The session was led by Proyecto Vision media and communication specialists Barbara Duncan and Robin Savinar. By far, the group considered "A Wheelchair for Petronilia" (www.Fanlight.com) the most effective and positive production about how Latinos with disabilities are utilizing their skills to spread the word about independent living approaches and successes in becoming self-sufficient.

The 27-minute documentary recounts how disabled Guatemalans, with U.S. assistance, are building their own wheelchairs, educating the community about barrier-free environments, and reaching out to disabled children to provide mobility and teach self-help techniques. Conference participants were quick to note that the principles illustrated in the engaging film would be readily accepted by the U.S. Latino community: support for the development of the self-help philosophy; respect for the family's involvement in all activities and the importance of involving disabled individuals in design and production of mobility aids and environmental access.

Duncan pointed out that the film was unusual in at least one aspect: although the assistive technology service was primarily being developed to enable disabled adults, it also emphasized the importance of reaching out to disabled children and providing adult disabled role models for their development. In response to questions about the purpose of the production, Savinar noted that the film had been produced to showcase grassroots initiatives encouraging entrepreneurship.

Another recent production aimed at young disabled persons is "Open Futures," an interactive CD-Rom by InfoUse (www.infouse.com) featuring interviews with disabled role models from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, disabilities and jobs. Of approximately 50 well-presented profiles, at least 5 clearly are of Latino heritage and offer engaging stories of how they got their current jobs, what obstacles they encountered along the road and how they perceive their futures. This is a particularly well-executed presentation, obviously meant to address the vacuum of up to date vocational information aimed at adolescents with disabilities currently on benefits. The material might be too brief to address the situation of disabled adolescents who were hesitant to leave benefit status. More information about how to balance benefits with work opportunities may be needed to inspire confidence about taking risks.

A film that also held the attention of the session was "Loud, Proud and Passionate," produced by Mobility International USA (www.miusa.org). It documents a 1997 international seminar in Eugene, Oregon for disabled, young who were preparing to participate in the International Leadership Forum for Disabled Women, sponsored by the World Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation International, to take place a month later in Washington, D.C. Women from Latin America were prominent in the mix of voices.

Several of the women interviewed are Latinas and the reactions expressed by the workshop attendees were supportive of the way the film producers seamlessly integrated the leadership shown by the Latina contingent. The video eloquently highlights the double discrimination experienced by disabled women in all cultures, including Latinas.

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