Partners in the Maine Developmental Disabilities Network (the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Disability Rights Maine, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, and Speaking Up for Us) collaborated with Gray Media Group (WAGM-TV) to design, produce and broadcast seven video public service announcements (PSAs) to help increase COVID-19 vaccinations among people with disabilities and direct support professionals; the individuals who support people with disabilities where they live and work.
Seven video public service announcements were produced. The following four PSAs feature two residential managers and a direct support professional from Group Main Stream in Westbrook, ME:
Ryan Brown (Spot 1) - https://youtu.be/XYd3Iihh_Cs
Ryan Brown (Spot 2) - https://youtu.be/A1FIKEP6jO0
Bethany DeLorenzo - https://youtu.be/WApEJPsWf-0
Apollo Karara - https://youtu.be/PhfLj3To7Ck
The following three PSAs feature two individuals from Maine who live with a disability:
Michael Nealey - https://youtu.be/aht4QEx99Xw
Abbott Philson (Spot 1) - https://youtu.be/6O_bB4sO8_8
Abbott Philson (Spot 2) – https://youtu.be/e0afIUvaABk
The campaign’s website, MaineVax.org, automatically redirects to VaccinateME, Maine’s Vaccination Appointment System. The campaign’s toll-free number, 1-888-445-4111, is Maine’s Community Vaccination Line.
The Maine DD Network partners are currently exploring additional TV/broadcast options in the central and southern Maine media markets.
Funding for this COVID-19 vaccination campaign was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Administration for Community Living. Grantees included the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies [ME UCEDD] (90DDC50040), the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (2101MESCC5), and Disability Rights Maine [P&A] (2101MEPAC5). Other contributing sponsors included Speaking Up for Us (Maine’s statewide organization run by and for people who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities) and WAGM-TV, which provided a 100% match of air time to the campaign.
The views expressed in these public service announcements are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the Administration for Community Living, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Government.
These videos are being shared on all of the Maine DD Network partners' Facebook pages - if you see them, please "like" and share widely!
We hope you like them!
Nancy!
Nancy Cronin
Executive Director
Maine Developmental Disabilities Council