Wherever in the world you are, we hope you’re all well and happy! It’s been a year since we traveled to Spain and Austria to study abroad and document the experience of traveling in a wheelchair. Can you believe it? It was an incredible journey, and a great learning experience which we hope to share with others. We want to thank you all again for making Empower On! possible, and give you an update on how the project is going.

Since returning from our adventure, we’ve created a book about our experience, to show our appreciation for your support and to help inspire other students. We’ve also done workshops at California State University, Los Angeles, and the California Endowment Center, to help spread information and resources about studying abroad with a disability. Now, we’re happy to share with you this short documentary as a thank you for your generous support! The film was part of the Official Selection for the 2014 Zotfest student film festival at the University of California, Irvine. We hope you enjoy it!

- Gaby and Khari

Starring: Gaby Martinez

Director / Editor / Cinematographer: Khari Scott

Cinematographer: Aaron Berjohn

Music: “Gathering Storm” – Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Starting off as a grass roots project, we’ve had to use several low budget resources to help make this project look professional. Our friend, Aaron, has been our on call photographer for more than one occasion, and has helped us make our semi-documentary trailer. We’d like to take the opportunity to thank him for his ever loving and supportive time!! Thanks for the beautiful pictures!!!

We’d like to congratulate our dear friend and mentor Gonzalo C. Centeno for landing a spot on the Department of Rehabilitation’s list of 50 Notable People! Gonzalo works as a Disability Management Specialist for Cal State LA, helping students realize their dreams. Personally, Gonzalo has been a huge inspiration for us, supporting our project and encouraging us to use our resources to help others. Keep up the great the great work Gonzalo!

>>Read the article and learn more about Gonzalo

Hanging out with Jacob, another student interning abroad in Barcelona, working on a project about accessibility. It was inspiring to talk to him and learn about his experience living and interning abroad in Barcelona.

Johnny Garay – Engineering Major, Cal State LA

Q: Why is Empower On important?

A: It gives people with disabilities the opportunity to study somewhere different and experience new things.

Q: How will Empower On impact students with disabilities on college campuses?

A: Empower On will impact students by allowing them to have the chance to travel out of the country. The students with disabilities will also be able to accomplish this thanks to the scholarship.

Yoshi LeaVesseur – Film & Media Studies Major, UC Irvine

Q: Why you think the Empower On film is important? What impact do you think it might have on the community?

A: Everyone has a story to tell, no matter how big or how small, and it is just wonderful when you find an outlet that lets you share it with the world. I think everyone should have the opportunity to tell their story, and they shouldn’t be hindered by something that is outside their control. That’s why it’s really important that a person with a disability is able to have their voice heard. A person who uses a wheelchair, for example, can give a perspective that one might not otherwise think of. I think it allows people who don’t use a wheelchair to see what they take for granted every day. But it’s equally important to show that these things don’t hold a person back. It’s inspiring to see that someone with a disability can still fulfill a dream and travel to other countries. I think filming this experience will be an excellent way to tell a great story, while also inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Alan Tsui Chen – English Major, UC Irvine

Q: Why is Empower On important?

A: Empower On is important because it gives extraordinary people a chance to have extraordinary experiences. I don’t think that they should be denied that because of any disability.

Lucas – TV Film & Media Studies Major, Creative Writing Minor, Cal Sate LA

Q: Why is Empower on important?

A: I think that it is important for people with disabilities to have equal opportunities to study abroad just like every student. After watching the video for Empower On, it seemed that you, Gaby, are able to strive for higher education and are willing to study abroad. However, it seems that sometimes a physical disability can contribute to a mental setback, which might make it harder for people to achieve higher education. Therefore, I believe with supportive projects like Empower On academic opportunities can be made more apparent for people with disabilities.

Q: How will Empower On impact the student body at Cal State LA and UC Irvine?

A: There is already a diverse population of all types of people in CSULA and UC Irvine. While there are programs designed to help certain races or demographics and even programs to help those with learning impairments, I really haven’t seen too many organizations that help people with disabilities. Since we live in LA I’m certain that there needs to be many more organizations/projects like empower on. Empower on can help students at CSULA and UCI because this is the hotspot for cultural change. I’m confident that with organizations like these people with disabilities can make a greater impact in the world, the support and guidance just needs to be there and Empower on is a great first step to do that.