FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Click here to download this press release as a Word document.

CONTACT
Mary Lugo, 770/623-8190, lugo@negia.net
Cara White, 843/881-1480, carapub@aol.com
Randall Cole, 415/356-8383 x254, randall_cole@itvs.org
Wilson Ling, 415/356-8383 x231, wilson_ling@itvs.org

Pressroom for more information and/or downloadable images:
www.itvs.org/pressroom/photos
Program companion Web site: www.independentlens.com/onaroll, www.onarolldocumentary.com

“ON A ROLL,” THE INSPIRING STORY OF DISABILITY ACTIVIST
GREG SMITH, TO AIR ON THE PBS SERIES
INDEPENDENT LENS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2005

-- Radio Host, Author, Motivational Speaker, Father and Tireless Advocate for the Disabled, Greg Smith’s Life and Work is Showcased in this Inside Look at the Joys and Frustrations of Life as a 65-pound Disabled Dynamo --

Film by Joanne Caputo
Premieres Nationally on “Independent Lens”
ITVS’s Acclaimed Series on PBS
Hosted by Susan Sarandon
Tuesday, February, 15, 2005 at 10:00 P.M. (check local listings)

“Disability is a beautiful part of the natural diversity that is human life.” – Greg Smith

Two million Americans use wheelchairs. 54 million Americans have a disability. From his home state-of-the-art studio, Greg Smith – “the wheelchair dude with attitude” -- uses his popular nationally syndicated radio program to offer advice, encouragement and inspiration to not only the huge number of disabled Americans, but all Americans. His upbeat, positive, often humor-filled message closes the gap between the abled and disabled by stressing that we all need help from each other, every day. Directed by Joanne Caputo, ON A ROLL will air nationally on the acclaimed PBS series Independent Lens on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 10:00 P.M. (check local listings) in conjunction with African-American History Month.

At the age of three, Greg Smith was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a progressive weakening of the muscles. His parents, Adelia and Jim, were told he would never live past ten; it was a diagnosis they refused to accept and Greg is now 40. As we see through home movies and interviews, Greg’s remarkable parents were adamant - despite the racial discrimination they regularly faced - that their disabled son would grow to be strong and independent. At a time when kids who were called “crippled” went to “special” schools, the Smiths’ fought for Greg to be able to attend his regular neighborhood school, where he not only got by, but excelled, even becoming a member of the school marching band (doing all the complicated formations from his motorized wheelchair.) The Smiths encouraged Greg to be as physically independent as possible, which strengthened him and made it possible for him to function more ably as an adult.

In ON A ROLL, we travel across the country with Greg as he conducts his hectic schedule of speaking engagements combined with an appearance at the huge Washington event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is a event both uplifting and bittersweet for Greg, who gets to Washington only to find he can’t find an accessible taxi to take him to the White House. As we see Greg’s daily struggles with so many things that the able-bodied take for granted – getting on an airplane, maneuvering in a hotel room, bathing, dressing, having sex, playing with one’s children – ON A ROLL gives us an unprecedented look at how millions of people with disabilities live and how much still needs to be done to improve their lives. Ultimately, ON A ROLL is a film about the strength and determination of one 65-pound man who keeps on rolling even when the going gets tough and how that spirit has changed not only his own destiny, but those of countless others as well.

The program’s interactive companion website www.pbs.org/onaroll features detailed information about the film, including an interview with the filmmaker, cast and crew bios, links and resources pertaining to the film’s subject matter, and a “talkback” section for viewers to share their ideas and opinions, preview clips of the film and more.

About the Filmmaker
Joanne Caputo (Director/Producer) ON A ROLL is writer/director Joanne Caputo’s first documentary following her acclaimed 1994 children’s video, BALLERINA, BALLERINA. A magna cum laude graduate from the University of Pittsburgh (‘76, ‘81), Caputo taught school in inner-city communities before transitioning to television production, at which she has worked for the past 20 years. Married and the mother of two teenage sons, Caputo is a recent breast cancer survivor with several documentaries in progress; she has also authored two non-fiction book manuscripts about enslaved African American mother, Margaret Garner.

About Greg Smith
Greg Smith, host and founder of the nationally syndicated “On A Roll Talk Radio” is recognized as one of the most dynamic voices in the disability movement today. A 2002 inductee into the esteemed National Speakers Association, Smith has dedicated his career to increasing disability awareness through the media and public speaking. His work has resulted in significant national media exposure, including profiles on CBS’s “The Early Show” and National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” as well as articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and Essence Magazine, and many others. He spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus on disability issues for African Americans in 1999 and started an internet discussion group to discuss unique cultural issues that face this double-minority community. Greg’s book On A Roll will be published in conjunction with the program’s broadcast. He is currently the host of a new syndicated radio show called “The Strength Coach;” for more info on Greg and his activities, visit www.thestrengthcoach.com.

About Independent Lens
Independent Lens is a weekly series airing Tuesday nights at 10 P.M. on PBS. Hosted by Susan Sarandon, the acclaimed anthology series features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers. Independent Lens features unforgettable stories about a unique individual, community or moment in history, which prompted Nancy Franklin in The New Yorker to write "Watching Independent Lens...is like going into an independent bookstore-you don't always find what you were looking for but you often find something you didn't even know you wanted." Presented by ITVS, the series is supported by interactive companion websites, and national publicity and community outreach campaigns. Further information about the series is available at www.pbs.org/independent lens. Independent Lens is jointly curated by ITVS and PBS, and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private corporation funded by the American people, with additional funding provided by PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About ITVS
Independent Television Service (ITVS) funds and presents award-winning documentaries and dramas on public television, innovative new media projects on the Web and the weekly series Independent Lens on Tuesday nights at 10 P.M. on PBS. ITVS is a miracle of public policy created by media activists, citizens and politicians seeking to foster plurality and diversity in public television. ITVS was established by a historic mandate of Congress to champion independently produced programs that take creative risks, spark public dialogue and serve underserved audiences. Since its inception in 1991, ITVS programs have revitalized the relationship between the public and public television, bringing TV audiences face-to-face with the lives and concerns of their fellow Americans. More information about ITVS can be obtained by visiting www.itvs.org. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People.

About PBS
PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. Serving nearly 90 million people each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, the leading dot-org Web site on the Internet.

* * *