I'm hoping that there will be, not just here, but an open dialogue with the panel on how reporters view the news they report on individuals with disabilities, how we can portray that in a positive, sort of equal, standing with stories on other individuals.

One of the most important things is housing. How can they get access to housing with the supports that they need? And coupled with housing is the whole issue of fear of location of housing in regular neighborhoods, which goes to the stigma of how people with disabilities are portrayed.

The most important thing that the media needs to know is that they are equal to and just like everyone else and how they should be viewed as equal citizens and that includes the stigma reporting the kind of overemphasizing violence in disabilities.

I'm very excited about today's forum because we can start the open dialogue of the needs of individuals with disabilities, the support needs, the housing needs, and their right to full participation in society including the Olmstead Decision.