The cavalry is coming, and it’s US…

Steve Gonyea - August 25, 2025

“People around the country are starting to take notice of the remarkable solutions for people with developmental disabilities that are happening in Utica, NY. Emmy-award winning documentary filmmaker, Michael Skinner, and his DC-based company, Pendragwn Productions, have visited multiple times to amplify the solutions Steve Gonyea and his family have created for their children with autism. In fact, Skinner and Gonyea are collaborating to form a new nonprofit called WorthDoing.org.

The organization is creating a website featuring documentary films and action toolkits to help spread simple ideas that work to other communities around the country. The first toolkit will feature what they are calling the Ability Bus. They are using the model Gonyea and Utica Center for Development founder, Vin Scalise, created - purchasing a small, used school bus with a wheelchair lift, and organizing volunteer drivers to provide free transportation to families and organizations who are facing any kind of challenge.

Solving the transportation crisis for people with disabilities allows them to focus on their abilities, not their challenges, hence the name Ability Bus. WorthDoing.org will feature a short documentary about the Ability Bus, a how-to video, and an FAQ on their website. Gonyea and Skinner have set a goal of inspiring 100 other communities to adopt the Ability Bus model in 2026- ideally with at least one bus in every state plus the District of Columbia.

Gonyea and Skinner plan to create additional toolkits for other ideas that are worth doing. They believe that individuals and community groups have the power to solve many of the issues around us and just need a good plan to get things done. WorthDoing.org will create a community of change-makers across the country. Gonyea is already fielding calls and emails from people around the country who are interested in learning more about what is happening in Utica, NY.” 

#HeatherAshBurroughs #FindingCommonGround #Pendragwn #PendragwnProductions