Television Producer/Philanthropist Loreen Arbus & 'CSI' Star Robert David Hall to Present the Inaugural 'Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship' at the 31st Annual College Television Awards

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation announced that television producer/philanthropist/disability rights activist Loreen Arbus, the first woman television executive in America to head up programming at a network, and Robert David Hall, star of the hit series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", will present the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarships at the 31st Annual College Television Awards gala on April 10 at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood.

"The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship is a tremendous addition to the College Television Awards," said Television Academy Foundation Executive Director Terri Clark. "We are grateful for Loreen's support. This is a meaningful way to salute her extensive work on behalf of disabled Americans as well as perpetuate the legacy of her parents."

"I am honored to be presenting the first-ever Focus on Disability Scholarships to two student producers who heighten awareness of the largest minority in the U.S. -- people with disability," said Loreen Arbus. "As co-founder of the Media Office of the California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons, it has been my great good fortune to have interacted over the years with Robert David Hall, who I so admire for his tireless work and passionate commitment to debunking disability stereotypes in Hollywood."

The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship is a joint partnership between The Loreen Arbus Foundation, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation and The Foundation of the Alliance for Women in Media. The scholarship focuses specifically on the needs, achievements, contributions and stories of people with disabilities, and commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship will be given to two aspiring student television producers.

The two scholarships will be presented April 10th at the 31st Annual College Television Awards, the Television Academy Foundation's annual celebration of the best in student television, digital and film work in the U.S. One honoree, determined by the Television Academy Foundation, produced a moving documentary.  The second honoree, representing the Alliance for Women in Media (formerly AWRT), produced a powerful public service announcement. Each will receive a $10,000 scholarship from The Loreen Arbus Foundation. The winning work will be showcased at a special screening on Sunday, April 11th at the Television Academy Foundation's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood. Tickets to the College Television Awards can be purchased through the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation website.

"I am thrilled that the idea I had to create this scholarship is being brought to light by these two wonderful organizations," said Loreen Arbus.

Loreen Arbus: Bringing groundbreaking advocacy for people with disabilities and carrying on a family legacy

Holding the distinction of serving as the first woman in the U.S. to head programming at a network (at both Showtime and Cable Health Network/Lifetime), Loreen Arbus is committed to her work with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), the organization co-founded by her parents, Isabelle and Leonard H. Goldenson, Founder/Chairman, ABC.  The fifth-largest U.S. health agency, UCP serves and advocates on behalf of more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. 

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

In 1968 - more than 20 years prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) -- the Goldensons successfully lobbied to create Section 502, The Architectural Barriers Act which for the first time prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability. Mrs. Goldenson's unique ideas resulted in Federal laws mandating shaved corners of street curbs, lowered public telephones, enlarged restroom cubicles, ramps in public buildings, and designated "handicapped" parking in every city in the United States. Recognized as the predecessor to the ADA, Section 502 directed communities around the country to take steps towards greater accessibility for people with disabilities. 

About The Loreen Arbus Foundation

The Loreen Arbus Foundation supports a broad scope of charitable interests, including scientific and medical research; women and girls; people with disabilities and other minorities; gender and racial equity in media; the arts; the environment and world peace.

About Loreen Arbus

Loreen Arbus is the first woman in the United States to head up programming at a television network (Showtime and Lifetime).  She is President/Executive Producer of Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc., a multi-tiered production company that develops nonfiction programming for network, cable, syndication and the Internet.  Ms. Arbus is the author of six nonfiction books, an Emmy® nominee and regular contributor to several national magazines and newspapers.  She is a member of The Writers Guild of America, The Authors Guild, and The Producers Guild, and serves on 11 nonprofit boards.  Widely recognized for her humanitarian and professional accomplishments, she has received The Heart of Giving Award presented by President Bill Clinton in 2001 and was chosen as one of 40 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2002.

About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation

Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation preserves and celebrates the history of the medium while educating and guiding those who will shape its future. Prominent among its many initiatives are the Archive of American Television, education programs such as the College Television Awards and its renowned student internship program, all of which utilize the resources of the Television Academy.  For more information about the Foundation, its many programs and services, please visit emmysfoundation.org.

About The Foundation of the Alliance for Women In Media: The Foundation for the Alliance for Women In Media is the philanthropic arm of The Alliance for Women in Media (formerly the American Women in Radio & Television), supporting educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including The Gracie Awards®, a live gala that honors exemplary programming created for, by and about women. For more information, please visit awrt.org.

To schedule an interview with Loreen Arbus to discuss the first ever Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship commemorating The 20th Anniversary of the Disabilities Act in America, or for more information about The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship, contact James Grant at [email protected] or (917) 626-1300.

SOURCE Academy of Television Arts & Sciences