Acclaimed Documentary Featuring Spectrum Designs and Dr. Temple Grandin Now Available as a Full-Length Movie Download for Audiences Worldwide
Press Release – Port Washington, NY, June 28, 2018 – Spectrum Designs, amongst the largest employers of individuals with autism in New York, and Mesh Omnimedia announced that the esteemed documentary This Business of Autism is now available for the first time as a full-length download on Amazon Video. It examines the economic and societal benefits of employing young adults with autism and traces the growth of Spectrum Designs, highlights initiatives from across the country and features the world-renowned Dr. Temple Grandin.
Half of the proceeds will be donated to Spectrum Designs helping to further its mission to provide gainful employment and meaningful work opportunities to individuals with autism within a social enterprise. The documentary can be rented for $4.99 or purchased for $14.99, here.
When purchased, viewing rights don’t expire and rentals include 30 days to start watching video and 48 hours to finish once started. This Business of Autism can be viewed on compatible Fire TV, Smart TC, streaming media player, game console, mobile phone, or tablet. A trailer for the film is available here.
“By teaming with Amazon On-Demand, we are making it possible for This Business of Autism to reach the masses, inspiring them through Spectrum Designs’ story,” says filmmaker Stephen Mackey, Creative Director at Mesh Omnimedia. “Our goal is to empower individuals on the spectrum and give them a boost of confidence to pursue employment opportunities, while raising awareness among the neurotypical community about the capabilities of this population.”
In the next decade, 500,000 people on the autism spectrum will age into adulthood, and an estimated 70% to 90% of these adults will be unemployed or underemployed. This Business Of Autism addresses the positive impacts of developing profitable businesses, like Spectrum Designs. The nonprofit has identified unique traits and perspectives of its employees to grow as a social enterprise.
“We are eternally grateful to have our story told in such a beautiful and powerful film. We’re also tremendously proud of our employees and supporters who worked so hard for this recognition,” says Patrick Bardsley, Co-Founder and CEO at Spectrum Designs. “Most importantly, the film continues, and significantly adds to, the wider narrative of disability employment in America.”
The film recently premiered on the big screen at Soundview Cinemas in Port Washington, New York, as part of the Gold Coast International Film Festival to a sold-out crowd of Autism advocates, local politicians and more. Soon-to-be announced screening events will take place across the country in the coming months.
In addition to exploring the growth and success of Spectrum Designs, the film examines several other initiatives from across the country, including the following:
- The Autism Job Club, a networking and support organization based in San Francisco, illustrates how their group has made significant progress in placing individuals on the spectrum in high-tech Silicon Valley jobs as well as other industries.
- Mercyhurst University’s Autism Initiative (AIM) program is helping their students acquire not only the hard skills central to their degree, but also the “soft skills” critical in networking and interviewing.
Dr. Temple Grandin is joined by other high-profile figures in the film, including New York State Senator Elaine Phillips, former New York State Senator Jack Martins, Nassau County DA Madeline Singas, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, and the former California Director of Employment Development Department, Michael Bernick.
For more information on This Business of Autism, visit the film’s website here. For more information on Mesh Omnimedia, visit the website here.
About Spectrum Designs
Spectrum Designs is the largest and fastest growing non-profit of its kind that offers its customers a ‘meaningful purchase’ by providing gainful employment and significant vocational experiences to people with disabilities. Spectrum provides businesses, corporations, community members and private clients with customized printed apparel and unsurpassed customer service. Spectrum’s goal is to raise awareness regarding the abilities and employability of these exceptional individuals, and is determined to prove that this business model is self-sustaining and replicable. For more information, visit www.spectrumdesigns.org
