Tue, 19 Feb. 2002 -- Media Matters No. 1:
Welcome to "Media Matters"

Welcome to "Media Matters" -- a twice-monthly, brief e-mail of media tips from the Center for An Accessible Society. You're on our list because you receive funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research -- as do we. We're funded to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues.

"Media Matters" will provide you with helpful information, tips and strategies to make it easy for you to be a valued source for reporters.

WHAT IS THE CENTER FOR AN ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY?
When journalists and editors look for sources from the disability perspective -- researchers, experts and consumers -- for comment on breaking news stories as well as for developing longer stories, they come to us to point them in the right direction. We're funded by NIDRR to help members of the media find the best sources -- and, in many cases, that means you and/or your colleagues.

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO BE A SOURCE?
Let us know and we will take you off the list, both for "Media Matters" and our media referral list. To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail to with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

DO MEDIA MATTER TO YOUR WORK?
Researchers have a golden opportunity to disseminate information to the general public when reporters seek "expert sources" for background and perspective on newsworthy issues. Why is this important? Mass Media is where most people get their information, including people with disabilities and those close to them.

Your research -- your expertise, knowledge and background -- can contribute to public understanding of critical disability issues, and can provide you with an unparalleled means of dissemination. It is not difficult. But it requires some preparation and understanding of how reporters do their work.

How to present press information on your research, how to handle calls from reporters (who are often on a tight deadline) and how to communicate effectively are skills that are easy to learn and put into practice.

More Media Matters