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AWARENESS Documentary focuses on rights of disabled workers

Portsmouth Herald - 12/5/2016

PORTSMOUTH – "Bottom Dollars," a Rooted in Rights original documentary, will have its only public New Hampshire showing Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Exeter High School.

Hosted by One Sky Community Services, "Bottom Dollars" highlights the challenges nearly 250,000 people with disabilities in the United States faced when being legally paid less than the minimum wage, on average. The documentary also offers solutions for fair wages and inclusive employment.

“We are so thrilled to be given the opportunity to host this important film to make the public more aware of one of the most critical issues facing people with disabilities,” said Chris Muns, CEO of One Sky Community Services.

Muns said the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 47 in 2015, which made New Hampshire the first state in the country to ban the practice of paying wages to individuals with a disability that is less than the minimum wage.

“As a state representative at the time, I was honored to be able to introduce the first piece of legislation barring this practice,” he said.

Following the screening, Jordan Melograna, producer and director of the documentary; Sara Frost, a participant in the film and a former One Sky client; Lisa Hinson-Hatz, N.H. state director for vocational rehabilitation; Chris Rueggeberg, policy and planning director for the N.H. Council on Development Disabilities; Christine L. Santaniello, director of the NH State Bureau of Developmental Services; and Muns will participate on a panel for an open discussion on the issue and explore alternatives to segregated employment in New Hampshire.

“Now is the time to end this exception to minimum wage laws,” said David Carlson, executive producer of Bottom Dollars and director of legal advocacy at Disability Rights Washington. “This exception was written in a bygone era, long before children with disabilities were allowed to go to school to get an education and marketable skills, and state and federal programs were created to support people with disabilities secure and keep meaningful employment. Nothing short of fully repealing this exception is acceptable and we hope this film helps people to see how flawed the assumptions underlying this exception are.”

The showing will take place in the Exeter High auditorium, 1 Blue Hawk Drive, at 6:15 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 7:15 p.m.

The showing is free to the public with donations accepted. For details, call Billie Tooley at One Sky Community Services at 436-6111 ext. 115.

One Sky Community Services is a private nonprofit organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders live fulfilling lives as members of their community.

Based in Portsmouth, One Sky serves about 1,200 individuals and their families in 24 cities and towns in Rockingham County, from Portsmouth to Seabrook, from Northwood to Kingston.

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