PBS NewsHour Weekend; PBS NewsHour Weekend : KQED : October 14, 2018 5:30pm-6:00pm PDT

Captioning sponsored by WNET

>> Sreenivasan: ON THIS EDITION FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14: A TOSS-UP IN THE GARDEN STATE, WHERE DISTRICT RACES IN TWO REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLDS ARE RE.ING COMPETITION FROM THE AND IN OUR SIGNAEGMENT: DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE FASHION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> FASHION IS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR SOUL AND YOUR PERTY. SO, AND ME BEING A FASHIONISTA SINCE I WAS A CHILD, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT THAT I COULDN'T WEAR MY REMAINING CLOTHING, BECAUSE I FELT LIKE A PART OF MY IDENTITY WAS DYING.

>> Sreenivasan: NEXT, ON PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND.

>> PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY: BERNARD AND IRENE SCHWARTZ. SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III. SETON MELVIN. THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY. DR. P. ROY VAGELOS AND DIANA T. VAGELOS. THE J.P.B. FOUNDATION. ROSALIND P. WALTER. BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG. CORPORATE FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY MUTUAL OF AMERICA-- DESIGNING CUSTOMIZED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS. THAT'SHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY: AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. FROM THE TISCH WNET STUDIOS AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK, HARI SREENIVASAN.

>> Sreenivasan: GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. PRESSURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS MOUNTING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED ASSASSINATION OF "WASHINGTON POST" WRITER JAMAL KHASHOGGI, WHO DISAPPEARED EARLIER THIS MONTH AT THE SAUDI ARABIAN CONSULATE IN ISTANBUL. BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND GERMANY ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT CALLING FOR A "CREDIBLE INVESTIGATION TO ESTABLISH HAPPENED."BOUT WHAT TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE EAUVIDENCE THAT AGENTS KILLED AND DISMEMBERED JAMAL KHASHOGGI ON THE DAY HE WENT MISSING, BUT THE SAUDI KINGDOM HAS CALLED THE ALLEGATIONS" BASELESS," AND DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT IN HIS DISAPPEARANCE. ESIDENT TRUMP THREATENED" SEVERE PUNISHMENT" IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THE SAUDIS KIKHED HOGGI, BUT HE DECLINED TO BE SPECIFIC. TODAY, REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARCO RUBIO SUGGESTED THAT A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR ARMS DEAL COULD BE USED AS LEVERAGE AGAINST THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT.

>> WHEN YOU SELL ARMS TO SAUDI ARABIA, IT GIVES YOU LEVERAGE OVER THEM, BECAUSE THEY NEED REPLACEMENT PARTS, THEY NEED THE TRAINING. SO YOU CAN'T SANCTION A COUNTRY BY CUTTING THEM OFF OF SOMETHING IF YOU NEVER PROVIDED IT IN THE T RST PLACE. SO TRUE THAT ARMS SALES GIVES US LEVERAGE.

>> Sreenivasan: AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA SAID IT REJECTS" ANY THREATS AND ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE IT, WHETHER THROUGH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, POL PRESSURE OR REPEATING FALSE ACCUSATIONS." WHETHER REPUBLICANS RETAIN A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OR DES TAKE CONTROL, COMES DOWN TO A FEW KEY RACES AROUND THE NATION. TWO SEATS IN NEW JERSEY ARE BECOMING BELLWETHERS BECAUSE THEY'RE TAKING PLACE IN MODERATE REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT JEFF GREENFIELD EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE IT, BUT THESE QUIET NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BATTLEGROUNDS, WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CONGRESS WILL BE WON OR LOST. MORE THAN 40% OF ALL MEMBERS OF TTIHE HOUSE OF REPRESENS LIVE IN SUBURBAN AREAS, AND DOZENS OF REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS ARE AT RISK. AND NO STATE MORE DRAMATICALLY DEMONSTRATES THIS THAN NEW JERSEY, THE VERY SYMBOL OF THE MASSIVE MIDDLE-CLASS MIGRATION THAT BEGAN AFTER WORLD WAR II. NEA W JERSEY IEPLY BLUE STATE. IT HASN'T VOTED FOR A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN 30 YEARS. IT HASN'T SENT A REPUBLICAN TO THE U.S. SENATE SINCE 1972. BUT, FIVE OF NEW JERSEY'S 12 HOUSE SEATS ARE HELD BY REPUBLICANS, MOSTLY IN THE SUBURBS, AND DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THAT WINNING THOSE KINDS OF DISTRICTS IN NEW JERSEY, ANDAC SS THE COUNTRY, IS THE KEY TO WINNING BACK CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 30 MILES WEST OF MANHATTAN LIES NEW JGRERSEY'S 11th CSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> WHITE COLLAR, SOME BLUE COLLAR, A LOT OF COMMUTERSBUNTO NEW YORKALSO PEOPLE WITH COMMUTES INSIDE OF MORRIS AND PASSAITTC COUNTY. A LE OF ESSEX AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THAT'S 46-YEAR-OLD ASSEMB REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE DISTRICT'S OPEN HOUSE SEAT.

>> TAXES IS THE NUMB ONE ISSUE ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.

>> R PRESS CONFERENCE AT A GAS STATION, TO PROTEST THE STATE'S GASOLINE TAXES, A SOURCE OF PERPETUAL VOTER ANGER. HE'S RUNNING TO REPLACE THE REGHTIRING RODNEY FRELSEN, PART OF A POLITICAL DYNASTY THAT GOES BACK LITERALLY TO THE BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC. HERE'S HIS FATHER, PETER, 64 YEARS AGO

>> ...IT HAS BEEN AND IS, AND I'M SURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE LY REPUBLICAN.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY EMBODIED A MODERATE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT DOMINATED MU OF JERSEY POLITICS. THE PARTY HERE HAS MOVED RIGHTWARD IN RECENT YEARS, BUT ASSEMBLYMAN WEBBER SAYS IDEOLOGY IS NOT THE KEY TO THIS RACE. JOBS AND TAXES ARE.

>> I'M FOCUSING ON THOSE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES THAT I THINK UNITE OUR PARTY, AND THAT ARE A TPPEALIBLUE COLLAR WORKERS-- COLLEGE-AGED WOMEN AND MEN, PROFE IONALS, COMMUTERS. THOSE ARE THE ISSUES WE TRY TO UNITE AROUND.

>> IReporter: ONE DIVISIUE HERE IS THE NEW FEDERAL TAX LAW, WHICH HAS LIMITED DEDUCTIONS FOR LOCAL AND STATE TAXES. THE LAW HITS RESIDENTS OF HIGH TAX STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY HARD. ASSEMBLYMAN WEBBER SUPPORTS IT. HERE'S WHAT HE SAID IN A DEBATE THIS MONTH: >>HE ARROW IS POINTING UP IN LARGE PART TO THAT TAX CUT. WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING IT, NOT LOOKING FOR THE DARK LINING IN THE SILVER CLOUD THAT AMERICA IS ENJOYING.

>> ...BEFORE THE NAVY LET ME FLY ONE OF THESE, I HAD TO PASS A LOT OF TESTS.

>> Reporter: HIS OPPONENT, 46-YEAR-OLD MIKIE SHERRILL, IS A NAVY HELICOPTER PILOT-TURNED- FEDERAL PROSECUTOR. SHE ARGUES THAT THE NEW TAX LAW HAS LEFT NEW JERSEYANS WORSE FF

>> WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE HERE IN NEW JERSEY IS THAT EVERYTHING COMING OUT OF THISES CONHAS BEEN BAD FOR OUR STATE. SO, THIS TAX PLAN IS WORSE FOR OUR STATE THAN ANY OTHER STATE. NO MEMBER OF THE NORTH JERSEY DELEGATION, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE FRELINGHUYSEN, VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS TAX PLAN AND IT'S STRIKING THAT ASSEMBLYMAN WEBBER SUPPORTS IT.

>> Reporter: BUT WHILE THE TALK IS OF TAXES AND OTHER LOCAL ISSUES, SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT IS SHAPING THE BATTLE FOR THE SUBURBS. WITH H ALL 435OUSE DISTRICTS AT STAKE THIS FALL, IT IS TEMPTING TO ECHO THE THAT ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL. THIS YEAR, THAT IS PARTICULARLY NOT TRUE. FROM WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY TO OAST OF CALIFORNIA, SUBURBAN RACE AFTER SUBURBAN CE IS BEING SHAPED BY THE SAME FACTOR.

>> WEAT'RE LOOKINISTRICTS THAT NORMALLY GO REPUBLICAN, WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER, PARTICULARLY IN THREE DISTRICTS, IS MAKING A VERY, VERY CONSERVATIVE RUN FOR A VICTORY.

>> Reporter: IS THERE A UNIFIED FIELD THEORY EXPLANATION FOR THIS?

>> YES. HIS NAME IS DONALD TRUMP.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL ARON, CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR NJTV, HAS BEEN COVERING THE STATE'S POLITICS FOR 40 YEARS. HE MODERATED A DEBATE LAST WEEK BETWEEN SHERRILL AND WEBBER. ARON SAYS THAT VOTERS SOMETIMES MAKE CONGRESSIONAL DECISIONS BASED ON WHO IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> I THINK THAT THEY'RE VOTING ON THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES AND ON ISSUES, BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE INTERPRETED AS A VICTORY OR A CAFEAT FOR DONALD TRUMP. REPUBLICANS ARYING HIS BAGGAGE ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> Reporter: THAT APPLIES IN DISTRICTS FROM KANSAS TO IOWA TO UTOZAH, TO AS MANY AS HALF A IN CALIFORNIA. LENGE FOR REPUBLICANS IS THAT IN SUBURBIA, TRUMP'S APPROVAL RATING IS WELL BELOW HIS NATIONAL AMONG WOMEN.IALLY ONE SURVEY LAST MONTH SHOWED 65% OF WOMEN LIVING IN SMALL CITIES AND SUBURBS DISAPPROVE OF TRUMP. ASSEMBLYM WEBBER DEALS WITH THIS DILEMMA THIS WAY:

>> I AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT WHEN I THINK HE'S RIGHT. I'LL SAGREE WITH HIM WHEN HE'S WRONG, AND I'LL ALWAYS PUT THE DISTRICT FIRST. AND PEI THINK THAT'S WHALE AROUND HERE WANT.

>> Reporter: AND, LIKE G.O.P. COUANDIDATES ACROSS THERY, WEBBER IS TRYING, IN THIS POLITICAL AD, TO PAINT HIS OPPONENT AS AN ALLY OF A FORE REPUBLICAN TARGET: NANCY PELOSI.

>> I THINK SHE'S BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE SPEAKER IN THE HOUSE WE'VE SEEN DECADES. I APPLAUD THE LEGISLATION SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO PASS.

>> Reporter: HERE'S WHAT SHLLEROLD US ABOUT PELOSI:

>> I SAID I WON'T BE SUPPORTING SPEAKER PELOSI FOR LEADERSHIP. BUT I THINK WHAT THEY'RE REALL MORE CONCERNED ABOUT IS MY PROVEN RECORD OF PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST IN THIS COUNTRY, BEFORE PARTISAN POLITICS.

>> Reporter: JUST TO THE WEST AND SOUTH, JERSEY'S 7th DTRICT OFFERS ANOTHER STARK TEST OF THE TRUMP EFFECT ON TRADITIONALLY REPUBLICAN TURF. 66-YEAR-OLD REPRESENTATIVE LEOANNARD HAS BEEN A REPUBLICAN FIXTURE HERE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS; FROM THEO OUNTY COURTE STATE ASSEMBLY TO THE STATE SENATE, TO TEN YEARS IN THE U.S. HOUSE. HE WON TWO YEARS AGOY 11 POINTS, WHILE CLINTON EDGED OUT TRUMP BY A POINT. BUT PSINT TRUMP'S LOW RATINGS HERE POSE A CLEAR THREAT TO LANCE, WHO, AS A MEMBER OF THCONGRESSIONAL PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS, IS CLEARLY IN THE MODE OF THE MODERATE REPUBLICAN'S PAST. ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES OF THE FMOCRATS IS, WE NEED ONE

>> I THINK THE WAY FORWARD IS THROGH BIPARTISAN COOPERATIONHE IN WHR PARTY CONTROLS THE NEW HOUSE. I THINK IT WILL BE BY A LATIVELY SMALL MARGIN-- SMALLER THAN THE CURRENT REPULICAN MARGIN-- AND THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT CENTRISTS WILL HAVE GREATER INFLUENCE.

>> HE HAS FRIES ON BOTH SIDES THE AISLE. HE VOTED AGAINST THE TAX BILL, HE VOTED AGAINST THE REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> Reporter: 53-YEAR-OLD TOM MALINOWSKI HAS SPENT HIS PUBLIC LIFE ON A VERY DIFFERENT STAGE FROM LANCE'S. HE'S BEEN IMMERSED IN DIPLOMACY, AND THE WORLD OF HUMAN RIGHTS,N ASADVOCATE, AND HIGH STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL UNDER PRESIDAMENT HE RETURNED TO HIS NATIVE NEW JERSEY JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, TO UNCH A CAMPAIGN IN WHICH HE SAYS THAT TRUMP'S VIEWS NOW DEFINE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THERE IS A BLOWBACK AGAINST EXTREMISM. HEERE'S A BLOWBACK AGAINST THE PERCEPTION THAT THE PARTY THOF REAGAN IS NOW A PART OPPOSES FREE TRADE, THAT OPPO, S IMMIGRATIAT ATTACKS THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, THAT I DIVIDING THIS COUNTRY IN WAYS THAT MIDDLE-OFRSHE-ROAD VOIN DISTRICTS LIKE THIS DON'T-- DON'T-- AREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH.

>> Reporter: AS DO SO MANY THREATENED INCUMBENTS,BL RECAN LANCE ARGUES THAT MALINOWSKI WOULD BE PART OF AN INCREASINGLY LEFTING DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> YES, I BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS MOVING FATO THE LEFT, AND IN THIS RACE IN NORTH CENTRAL NE IS EXTREMELY LIBERAL ON THE MAJOR ISSUES. AND, FOR EXAMPLE, HE HAS NOT HAT HE WOULD NOT VOTE FOR NANCY PELOSI FOR SPEAKER, ALTUGH MANY MORE CENTRIST DEMOCRATS HAVE INDICATED THAT.

>> TRANSLATION: FAR-LEFT LIBERAL.

>> Reporter: AN AD MAKES THE POI WITH A STRIKING LACK OF SUBTLETY.

>> I'M A LIFELONG PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT.

>> HIGHER TAXES, HIGHER HEALTHCARE COSTS, LESS FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: UNLIKE MIKIE SHERRILL, MALINOWSKI IS NOMMITTAL ABOUT NANCY PELOSI AS SPEAKER, BUT HE IS CLEAR ABO YUT WHY, THR, THERE'S A NATIONAL IMPERATIVE TO END ONE-PARTY CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IH 'VE WORKED WPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALL MY LIFE, BUT WHERE I DO BECOME PARTISAN-- AND THIS IS JUST FROM OBSERVATION OF THE CONGRESS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. I ARGUE THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE CONGRESS ROWIGHTS A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. >: > ReportILE REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING THE FIGHT OVER BRETT KAVANAUGH HAS ENERGIZED THEIR BASE IN RED STATES, IT IS MUCH LESS LIKELY TO LP G.O.P. CANDIDATES LIKE WEBBER AND LANCE, WHERE MORE MODERATE VOTERS HOLD THE KEY TOUCCESS. IT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY THE POLITICAL WORLD WILL BE PAYITE CLOSE ION TO THE GARDEN STATE ON ELECTION NIGHT. SHOULD THESE REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS FLIP, IT'S A POWERFUL CLUE THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL AS WELL.

>> Sreenivasan: GETTG UP AND GETTING DRESSED IN THE MORNING IS SOMETHING MOST OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED. T FOR SOME, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, DRESSING ONE'S SELF IS MORE OF A CHORE. IT CAN BE AN ORDEAL MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY A LACK OF CLOTHINGO OPTIONS TOE FROM. THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING ON SOLUTIONS TO MAKE THE SIMPLE ACT OF ESPUTTING ON CLO AND FASHIONABLE CLOTHES AT THAT-- ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S MEGAN THOMPSON HAS THIS STORY.

>> Reporter: EVERY MORNING, CHRISTINA MALLON PICKS OUT AN OUTFIT FOR HER JOB AT A MARKETING FIRM IN NEW YORS MALLON LOSHION, AND WANTS TO LOOK HER BEST. BUT DECIDING WHAT TO WEAR ISN'T THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

>> FOR THE LAST EIGHYEARS, SLOWLY, BOTH MY ARMS AND SHOULDERS BECAME PARALYZED. THEY DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT I HAVE. THEY THINK IT'S MOTOON DISEASE, MOST SIMILAR TO A.L.S.

>> Reporter: WHEN MALLON'S HEMUSCLES BEGAN TO ATROPHY OLD CLOTHES NO LONGER FIT, OR BECAME TOO DIFFICULT FOR HER TO PUT ON BY HERSELF.

>> FASHION IS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR SOUL AND YOUR PERSONALITY. , AND ME BEING A FASHIONISTA SINCE I WAS A CHILD, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT THAT I COULDN'EMWEAR MYNING CLOTHING, BECAUSE I FELT LIKE A PART OF MY IDENTITY WAS DYING.

>> Reporter: MALLON WENT ONLINE AND LOOKED AT CLOTHES DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. BUT WHAT SHE FOUND WAS DISAPPOINTING.

>> IT WAS THESE BOLD-- REALLY OLD COLORS, THAT I WOULD NEVER WEAR. A LOT OF FLEECES, NOTHING FITD, A LOT OF VELCRO. AND THAT JUST WASN'T ME. AND YOU KNOW, IT JUST MADE ME EALLY UPSET, THAT I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO GO OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: THEN, LAST YEAR, MALLON FOUND SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP.

>> OUR MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAKE STYLE ACCESSIBLE. >: > ReportACE JUN LEADS OPEN STYLE LAB, A NON-PROFIT BASED AT THE PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN IN NEW YORK, ONE OF THE INSTITUTES.IER FASHION THE LAB RUNS A SUMMER PROGRAM THAT TRAINS PARTICIPANTS TO

>> ONE OUT OF FIVE PEOPLE ENTIFY HAVING A DISABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH MEANS THERE'S A WHTAPPED MARKET THAT'S MARGINALIZED AND HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED.

>> Rep OPEN STYLE LAB IS FUNDED BY FOUNDATION GRANTS AND DONATIONS FROM COMPANIRT INCLUDING PO AND WOOLMARK. THE PARTICIPANTS ARE STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONAL DRS, ENGINEERS, AND OCCUPATIOL AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. CHRISTINA MALLON'S TEAM MADE HER A STYLISH COAT, FREE OF EIARGE.

>> AND ABLE TO PUT A COAT ON BY MYSELF WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME VING ENOUGH CONFIDENCE TO GO TO WORK. AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAVE SUCH A BIG IMPACT, THAT PELE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE DESIGNERS WT ON TO CREATE A WHOLE COLLECTION FOR MALLON. MAKING A SHIRT WITH A SILKY INSIDE, SO IT'S EASIER TO SLIP ER THE HEAD. A DRESS WITH A STRAP AT THE BOTTOM, THAT MALLON TUGS ON WITH DR FOOT TO PULL THE HN. MALLON WAS SO INSPIRED, SHE NOW HELPS RUN OPEN STYLE LAB WITH GRACE JUN, AS A VOLUNTEER.

>> WELCOME, WELCOME.

>> Reporter: NEWSHOEEKEND FOLLOWED OPEN STYLE LAB'S 10-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM FROM DAY ONE, TO SEE HOW IT WORKS.

>> LACK OF ACCESSIBLE CLOTHING IS A BARRIER TO GREATER ENDENC

>> Reporter: THE PARTICIPANTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TEAMS. EACH HAS A DESIGNER ANDN ENGINEER.

>> I WANT YOU TO HOLD IT ALL THE WAY IYO PALM.

>> Reporter: PLUS, THERE'S AN OCCUPATIONAL OR PHYSICAL ERAPIST.

>> PALM UP.

>> Repter: THEY WORKED WITH RESIDENTS OF THE RIVERSIDE PREMIER REHABILITATION AND HEALING CENTER IN MANHATTATA THE FIRS? GETTING TO KNOW THE RESIDENTS' NEEDS.

>> SWEATER-TYPE MATERIAL IS HARD TO PUT ON, BECAUSE IT'S BULKY.

>> Reporter: ROXINE GASSETTE HAD A STROKE AND IS WORKING TO REGAIN THE USE OF HER RIGHT ARM.

>> I'D LIKE TO USE IT AGAIN. AND I DON'T USE IT AT ALL.

>> Reporter: BEING UNABLE TO DRESS ONE'S SELF TS A BIG PART LOST INDEPENDENCE THAT DISABILITY CAN CAUSE. ROXIE TELLS HEFRTEAM, SHE GETS TRATED WAITING FOR AN AIDE EVERY MORNING TO COME HELP HER GET DRESSED. >>ND SO, WE'RE GOING TO FIND A PIECE OF CLOTHING THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET ON INPENDENTLY, WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM HER CAREGIVER.

>> I GET THEM UP, THE PANTS UP...

>> Reporter: ADA STEWART HAS SEVERE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. HER TEAM LEARNED THAT IT TOOK HER A FULL EIGHT MINUTES TO PULL ON A PAIR OF SWEATPANTS.

>> SOMETIMES BOTH LEGS GO INTO ONE. AND I JUST SAY, OH, WHAT AM I DOING?

>> Reporter: SO, THEY SET ABOUT ENGINEERING SOMETHING EASIER TO PUT ON ANOTHER REHAB RESIDENT, WANDAR ROSARIO, HASNSON'S DISEASE. SHE GETS COLD EASILY, AND HAS PAIN AND WEAKNESS IN HER ARMS.

>> ( SINGING )

>> Reporter: WANDA LOVES MUSIG AND SING, AND SHE TOLD HER TEAM, HER FAVORITE MEMORY WAS ONCE PERFORMING AT AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE APOLLO. SO THEY DECIDED TO CREATE A ROCKND-ROLL LEATHER JACKET THAT SHE CAN PUT ON OVER HER HEAD, WHICH IS LESS PAINFUL THAN PULLING ON FROM BEHIND.

>> IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE WIDE ENOUGH FOR HER TO SLIP OVER HER HEAD, ESPECIALLY HER BUN, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PRETTY WIDE. IT WOULD BE A BOAT NECK, AT THAT POINT.

>> Reporter: THE TEAMS MUST RETHINK TYPICAL GARMENT CONSTRUCTION-- EVERYTHING FROM DESIGNS. TO MATERI ROXIE'S TEAM IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE A WRAP DRESS THAT SHE CAN PUT ON USING ONLY ONE ARM.

>> HAND THROUGH THE SLEEVE.

>> HAND THROUGH THE SLEEVE. >>eporter: ROXIE TYPICALLY REQUIRED A LOT OF HELP GETTING D, BUT SHE MANAGED TO ON A PROTOTYPE OF THIS DRESS ALMOST COMPLETELY BY HERSELF. FOR PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS OR LIMITED DEXTERITY, FASTENERS LIKE BUTTONS OR ZIPPERS CAN BE DIFFICULT. ROXIE'S TEAM TRIED URGNETS, BUT ITED THEY DIDN'T WORK THAT WELL, EITHER.

>> IT WASTICKING TO THE WHEELCHAIR, AND IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE GARMENT. AND SO WE HAD TO ELIMINATE THAT.

>> Reporter: FABRIC CHOICE IS IMPORTANT, TOO. MANY OF THE TEAMS USE WOOL, WHICH IS NATURAL AND BREATHABLE. WANDA'S TEAM DISCOVERED THE TRIEDTIC VINYL THEY FIR DIDN'T WORK.

>> THE VINYL WAS TOO STIFF. IT CREATED THESE VERY UNAESTHETIC WRINKLES AND LINES AND CREASES.

>> Reporter: SO THEY SWITCHED TO LAMBSKIN, WHICH DIDN'T WRINKLE AS MUCH. AND THEY CREATED A GUIDE WITHIN THE JACKET, TO SHOW WANDA HOW TO PUT IT ON.

>> SO, BLUE IS F YOUR ARMS, PINK IS FOR YOUR HEAD.

>> Reporter: THE TEAMS VISITED THE CLIENTS REGULARLY TO TEST OUT THE GARMENTS AND MAKE SU THEY FIT.

>> HOW DOES THAT FEEL?

>> I DON'T KNOW, LIKE IT'S STILL TIGHT.

>> Reporter: AS THE SUMMER WENT SON, ADA STEWART'S OUTFITLOWLY TOOK SHE. THE TEAM TESTED DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLEATS FOR THE PANTS AND DEVISED A PULLEY SYSTEM THAT LL GATHER UP THE PANTS FOR HER, MAKING IT EASIER TO GET HER FEET IN. HE NICE AND WARM. LOOK AT TPOCKETS.

>> Reporter: ADA'S HANDS GE COLD, HANDS NATURALLY LAY. SHE T WOLD HER TEAM STED TO GET RID OF HER WHEE HAIR ONE DAY,SO THEY DEVELOPED SENSORS THAT LIGHT UP TO REMIND HER WHEN IT'S TIME TO EXERCISE, AND GIVE HKOER FEEDBACK DURING THE W.

>> I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE, COY,NFIDENCE, AND DIGN APPAREL CAN IMPACT A PERSON'S JOB PROSPECTS. ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, FEWER THAN 20% OF PEOPLE WITH D ARE EMPLOYED.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS.

>> Reporter: AND A LACK APPROPRIATE CLOTHING CAN BE A BARRIER, ACCORDING TO KERRI McBE PE-BLACK,FESSOR OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

>> CE CORPORATIONS WILL HAVE SPECIFIC DRESS CODES, REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF HOW YOU, YOU KNOW, PRESENT YOURSELF T THE PUBLIC, SPEAK. AND THAT CAN BE A RESTRICTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY.

>> Reporter: McBEE-BLACK STIES HOW CLOTHING AFFECTS THE SOCIAL PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SHE SAYIT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND BUSINESS ATTIRE, UNIFORCO, AND EVEN ATS AND GLOVES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED FOR A JOB. AND IF SOMEONE DOES MANAGE TO FIND THE RIGHT CLOTHES, THE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THEM BY THEMSELVES.

>> IT FORCES YOU INTO A SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.

>> Reporter: McBEE-BLACK SAYS THAT WHILE INDUSTRY HAS LARGELY IGNORED THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS, THINGS ARE SLOWLY STARTING TO CHANGE.

>> REMEMBER THAT YOUR DISABILITY IS AN HONOR, NOT A BURDEN.

>> Reporter: IN 2016, TOMMY HILFIGER BECAME THE FIRST MAJOR FASHION DESIGNER TO LAUNCH A LINE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. HE SAYS, FOR HIM, IT'S PERSONAL.

>> I LEAED THROUGH HAVING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THAT AUTISTIC CHILDN SOMETIMES DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE DEXTERITY TO BUTTON BUTTONS AND ZIPPER ZIPPERS. AND WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE FACT THAT WEARING SOMETHING FEEAS YOUR SELF-ESTEEM.

>> Reporter: THE LINE IS CALLE"" TOMMY ADAPTIVE," AND IT INCLUDES PIECES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

>> WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BUTTONING THE BUTTON. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ZIPPING THE ZIPPER. MAGNET AND VELCRO. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF, LIKE, A MEN'SE SHIRT. MAGNTIZED. ITTHE SAME QUALITY, IT'S THE SAME FABRIC, AND SAME DESIGN AS WE OFFER TO EVERYONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: WAS THIS AISK FOR YOU S A COMPANY TO TAKE THIS ON?

>> LOOK, EVERYTHING IS A RISK. I MEAN, IF YOU'RE DEVELOPING PRODUCT, YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO SELL OR NOT. A T OF DESIGNERS WHO JUST WANT TO HAVE A COOL BRAND LEAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT. I NEVER WANTED TO BE THAT BRAND.

>> Reporter:THERS ARE STEPPING UP, TOO. LAST YEAR, TARGET'S "CAT AND JACK" CHILDREN'S LINE BEGAN OFFERING ADAPTIVE CLOTHING THAT'S ALSO "SENSORY FRIENDLY"-- NO UOMFORTABLE TAGS OR ROUGH SEAMS THAT COULD BOTHER A CHILD WITH A SENSORY PROCESSING ISSUE. IT'S TS HE TYPE OF PROGREN STYLE LAB IS PUSHING FOR.

>> THEETRE'S A HUGE CONSUMER THAT HAS JUST BEEN IGN IT JUST MAKES SENSE FOR BRANDS TO CARE.

>> Reporr: IN MID-AUGUST, WITH JUST A FEW DAYS TO GO, THE TEAMS WERE BUSY FINISHING UP THEIR PIECES FOR THE FINAL SHOWCASE WHERE THEY WOULD PRESENT THEIR WORK. ON THE DAY OF THE BIG EVENT, THE RESIDENTS OF RIVERSIDE REHITATION TRAVELED TO PARSONS IN THEIR NEW GARMENTS. ROXIE GASSETTE IN HER WRAP DRESS...

>> HI! THANK YOU!

>> Reporter: ADA STEWART IN HER JUMPSUIT...

>> ADA! YOU LOOK SO GOOD!

>> Reporter: ...AND WANDA ROSARIO IN HER ROCK-N-ROLL JACKET.

>> THIS IS THE MOST, THE BEST!

>> Reporter: THE DESIGNERS PRESENTED TO A PACKED ROOM, AND CELEBRATED THEIR ACCOMPSHMENTS-- CREATING CLOTHES THAT WERE FASHIONABLE AND FUNCTIONAL, RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSIVITY, D BRINGING THE JOY OF STYLE TO EVERYONE.

>> Sreenivasan: HOW MUCH WILL CHANGES AT FEMA AFFECT PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE, www.pbs.org/newshour.

>> THIS IS "PBS NEWSHOUR EK WED," SUNDAY. >sa> Sreeni POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TRYING TO REFORM AND CONNECT WIEITH THE COMMUNTHEY SERVE. A GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS IN NEW YORK IS EXPLORING WAYS TO AYDDRESS POLICE-COMMUN RELATIONS THROUGH WELLNESS AND A LITTLE NAMASTE. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S IVETTE FELICIANO HAS THE STORY.

>> ARMS UP!

>> Reporter: THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE AN AVERAGE SATURDAY MORNING YOGA SESSION INSIDE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK'S FORT GREENE PARK, BUT THESE PARTICIPANTS E MADE UP OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> DID E OFFICER?ET TO MEET AN

>> YES!

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS DEBORAH KIM AND TINA PAUL, WHO RUN WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION TRAININGS ACROSS THE U.S., SAY THEY WANTED TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE N.Y.P.D. ANLID COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THEIRS.

>> WE FELT DEFEATED BY THE NEWS, SHOT, AND WE WANTED TO DO S OF PEOPLE OF COLOR BEI SOMETHING IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO WE REACHED OUT TO OUR LOCAL PRECINCT.

>> A THEN IT JUST BECAME SOR OF LIKE A MISSION.

>> Reporter: THEY MET WITH THE POLICEHIEFS ACROSS NEW YORK, SHARING A GROWING BODY OF RESEARCH WHICH SAYS THAT IN ADDITION TO REDUCINGTRESS HORMONES, YOGA AND MEDITATION CAN ALSO DECREASE RACIAL BIASES AND DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIORS.

>> ALL DAY LONG, YOU KNOW, EVERY HOUR, YOU'RE ANSWERING HOWEVER MANY JOBS, YOU'RE SEEING TRAUMATIC THINGS. IF I DON'T HAVE AN OUTLET, WHERE DOES IT GO? THIS HELP ENERGY AND PUT IT ON OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZERS BELIEVTH IS THE FIRST EVENT IN THE COUNTRY TO BRING POLICE AND CIVILIANS TOGETHER FOR YOGA AND MEDITATION.

>> I THINK THAT IT COULD SERVE TO HUMANIZE THE POLICE A LITTLE BIT MORE, SO THAT PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE TALKING TO POLICE OFFICERS, AND SO THERE IS SS OF A TENSION BETWEEN CIVILIANS AND COPS.

>> NAMASTE.

>> SreenTHivasan: TOMORROW O NEWSHOUR, WE TRAVEL TO MONTANA FOR ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE SENATE RACES IN THE CO FTRY. THAT'S A THIS EDITION OF PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND. I'M HARI SREENIVASAN. THANKS FOR WATCHING. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. Captioning sponsored by WNET Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

>> PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY: BERNARD AND IRENE SCHWARTZ. SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III. SETON MELVIN. THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY. DR. P. ROY VAGELOS AND DIANA T. VAGELOS. THE J.P.B. FOUNDATION. ROSALIND P. WALTER. BAARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG. CORPORATE FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY MUTUAL OF AMERICA-- DESIGNING CUSTOMIZED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIMENT COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT HAS BEEY: PROVIDED AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE U. THANK YOU. BE MORE. PBS. c [ Theme muays ] -Next on "Great Performances," how did a musical based on the life of an overlooked founding father become the hottest ticket in town? ♪ The ship is in the harbor now ♪ ♪ See if you can spot him -Find out asnuomposer Lin- Miranda takes us on his personal journey from original inspiration to Broadway sensatio -I grabbed a biography off the shelf of Alexander Hamilton, and I found it deeply moving whd deeply personal I read it. -♪ I'm the damn fool that shot him ♪ -Something that really so of spoke to me when I was, you know, reading this story and beginning to research and write it is that moment when we trade away capital in exchange r the debt plan. We call it "The Room Where It Happens." -♪ I've got to be -♪ The room where it happens -♪ I've got to be -♪ The room where it happens -♪ Oh, I've got to be in -♪ The room where it happens ♪ I got to be, I got to be