On A Roll PBS Independent Lens Audience Award and ITVS True Stories international programming
Greg Smith and his family bare all in this unflinching portrait of a 65-pound man striving for the American Dream. Fueled by discrimination, Smith created “On A Roll Talk Radio” on Life and Disabilities from his power wheelchair in 1992. The African American father of three travels the globe in a new civil rights movement, but finds his own nation’s capital inaccessible - a minor challenge compared to living independently and having safe relationships with “facilitated sex.”
“Highly worthwhile and inspiring” - The New York Times
"Strengthens all viewers" - National Organization on Disability
"A warts-and-all story of struggle and boundless optimism" - St. Petersburg Times
"Compelling, to say the least" - American Public Television
Greg Smith and his family bare all in this unflinching portrait of a 65-pound man striving for the American Dream. Fueled by discrimination, Smith created “On A Roll Talk Radio” on Life and Disabilities from his power wheelchair in 1992. The African American father of three travels the globe in a new civil rights movement, but finds his own nation’s capital inaccessible - a minor challenge compared to living independently and having safe relationships with “facilitated sex.”
“Highly worthwhile and inspiring” - The New York Times
"Strengthens all viewers" - National Organization on Disability
"A warts-and-all story of struggle and boundless optimism" - St. Petersburg Times
"Compelling, to say the least" - American Public Television
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OFFICIAL SELECTION
True Stories: Life in the USA (ITVS international), 2007-17 Bosi Fest (Serbia) Reframing Reality (Israel) The Other Festival (Melbourne) Moscow Disability Film Festival American Sociological Association National Association of Black Journalists TASH Image Conference VSA International Arts Festival Athens Intl. Film & Video Festival Reel Life Film Festival Independent Living Reel Celebration Festival SuperFest Media Festival on Disabilities Ohio Self Determination Association Arizona Black Film Showcase Ohio Image Award of Excellence |
A portion of On A Roll depicts how activist Greg Smith cannot hear the U.S. President speak about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at a 10-year anniversary event because he cannot get a wheelchair-accessible taxicab in Washington, D.C. By 2008, the film and an interview with Director Joanne Caputo were utilized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in a presentation to address the need for accessible taxicabs. The first 20 cabs – adapted mini-vans – rolled out in 2010 in a "pilot project" that continues to this day. It is funded through the Federal Transit Administration, the D.C. Taxicab Commission, and two local taxi companies.
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