01-081
For Release: October 17, 2001

James M. Giomini
Media Relations Office
216/433-2901

Note To Editors/News Directors:

Popular Misconceptions Dispelled During Center's Disability Employment Awareness Month Recognition

Many people form opinions of people with disabilities through family, friends and media information. The United States and its nearly 53 million people with disabilities afford the media the ability to strongly influence how this segment of the population is perceived and treated.

In his keynote address, actor Henry Holden will offer "The Misconceptions Continue: How the Media Represents People with Disabilities" on Thursday, October 18. The address will highlight Disability Employment Awareness Month at NASA's Glenn Research Center. Holden will speak at this employee only event in Glenn's DEB Auditorium at 9:30 a.m.

Holden received the first annual American Scene Award given by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He also appeared on episodes of such television series as Hill Street Blues, T.J. Hooker and Knot's Landing, among others. Holden's other talents include: certified scuba diving, glider and powered aircraft piloting and horseback riding. He accomplished these things after contracting polio at age 4 during the 1952 national Polio epidemic. In addition, Holden is the producer of Look Who's Laughing, the award-winning documentary that focuses on six comedians with disabilities.

Any media representatives interested in this event should call Jim Giomini at 216-433-8340 or the Media Relations Office at 216-433-2901 to receive security clearance.

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