In order to showcase the injustices people with disabilities often face, Dan Habib — a project director and filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire — created “Intelligent Lives,” a film aimed at changing societal perspectives.
Hosted by the Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development, this film will show at the University of Idaho Friday as part of Developmental Disability Awareness Month.
“I’m really excited to be able to show the capability that people with developmental or intellectual disabilities have,” said ICDHD employee Lynsey Fenter. “I feel like there’s a stereotype that society has placed, saying that they are ‘incapable’ or that they need an exorbitant amount of help in order to actually function as a normal human being, which is completely false.”
Lynsey Fenter | Courtesy
According to Fenter, several organizations will have booths on the Bruce Pitman Center’s second floor, where they will share information with attendees from 4 p.m. until 4:50 p.m. The groups include the Center for Disability Access and Resources, Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGBTQA Office, Disability Action Center NW, Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Moscow chapter of the Idaho Self Advocate Leadership Network.
“I feel like there’s this disconnect between students and the Moscow community, especially (with) the supports that are in the community,” Fenter said. “Moscow is a really wonderful area where we have a bunch of different support systems and safety nets that are in place, especially for individuals with disabilities.”
Intelligent Lives will play in the Borah Theater starting at 5 p.m. After, ICDHD will host a panel discussion for attendees to ask questions of CDAR Director Amy Taylor, education professor Andrew Scheef and a mystery third panelist.
“The documentary itself is incredibly well done,” Fenter said. “It’s a fantastic film that really makes you think and it brings up a lot of really important points that you might not think (of) on a day-to-day basis.”
Habib said the film shows people what is possible with the right opportunities and support for people with disabilities. The accompanying campaign — Opening Doors — advocates for the creation of a more inclusive world through equal opportunities.
Fenter hopes the film will show the community the capability of people with disabilities and how hurtful stereotypes can be.
The resources at the tabling fair are tailored for students, but the general public is welcome to attend. She said she looks forward to sharing the film, as well as these resources with students and the community.
The Intelligent Lives event begins at 4 p.m. Friday in the Bruce Pitman Center Borah Theater, ending around 7 p.m. The screening is free and open to the public, but there is a limit of 150 attendees.
For more information on the event, visit the Eventbrite or Facebook pages.
A trailer for the film can be found at: youtube.com/watch?v=r7qEJFpMWNk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1q8mvYEPAZRz44Zot_JtARx64qgAuCIHmlUkDZad8isdI4kCeTKnjr72Q.