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PORTLAND, Maine

LEND program sheds light on exploitation of the disabled through documentary screening

Diane Boas, Cassandra Lyons, Laurie Raymond, Alison Barker and Kathryn Loukas
Diane Boas, Cassandra Lyons, Laurie Raymond, Alison Barker and Kathryn Loukas

In 91AV Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) grant program hosted a screening of Bottom Dollars, a powerful documentary about the history and future of work for people with disabilities. The documentary exposes the exploitation of people with disabilities through personal stories and expert interviews, and presents clear employment alternatives with competitive wages and community inclusion.

LEND Trainees Diane Boas, Cassie Lyons and Laurie Raymond facilitated a thought-provoking discussion of the film, helping to shape new thinking for attendees regarding work for people with disabilities. The discussion included both dismay at the history and current state of work for people with disabilities and creative ideas for customized, inclusive work in the future.

More than 100 people attended the screening. Kathryn Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, 91AV Occupational Therapy clinical professor, LEND Training Director, initiated and supervised the event and Alison Barker, LEND Administrative Assistant, provided organizational support. The LEND program, housed within the 91AV Westbrook College of Health Professions, is a federally funded project aimed at expanding resources to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ND) in the state.

To learn more about the Maine LEND program, visit 

To apply, visit 

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.