Singers and dancers and actors, oh my! The Seventh Annual Pace University Celebration of People with Disabilities in Film took place on Thursday, April 4th, featuring creative expressions from people of all ability levels combined with interesting discussions on the disability experience from parents, professionals, and more. More than 200 people attended to view films that were presented by the Sprout Film Festival, Pace University, and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
“A Social Justice Movement”
Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara attended with his son, Michael, who is on the autism spectrum. Following the film “JMAXX and the Universal Language,” which featured a dancer with autism who busts out his moves anywhere in public, the legislator from Schenectady remarked how difficult it can be to have a loved one with a visible disability. “It’s not spoken but you can tell people look,” he said. “I like to try and let Michael do things on his own. As he’s gotten older I will keep my distance and let him go but I notice that people will talk about him. As a parent, you have to assume he won’t be treated fairly.”
Betsy Lynam, AHRC New York City’s Chief Program Officer, said that many of the films centered on the themes of “providing choice” and “learning from the unlikely person.” Betsy later said that the films required people without disabilities to self-reflect. “We are in the middle of a social justice movement; we have to look in the mirror and see how we have to change,” she said.
In addition to “JMAXX,” the films screened this year included “Kill Off,” “Still Sophie,” “Fighter,” “Aretha,” “Surreality,” and “Being Seen.” At the beginning of the event, several organizations were invited to set up tables and provide information to guests, including AHRC NYC’s Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program. As in past years, the event was hosted by longtime AHRC NYC community partner, Dr. James Lawler.
In His Own Words: James Downey
James Downey, a self-advocate receiving services from AHRC NYC’s Stephen B. Siegel Day Center in Brooklyn, provided his reflections on the evening’s films and discussions:
Last night, Janice and I went out to dinner, and after that, we went out to Pace University. It was nice; I met a lot of people. I met Victor Calise, the disability commissioner from City Hall. He works with Bill De Blasio, the Mayor of New York. I spoke to [Assemblyman] Angelo Santabarbara from Albany, New York.
We talked about doing the right things: sharing and caring. I spoke about our future, our life, and how to support people who support us. We saw a short film, it was nice. A man was dancing, he did a hip–hop thing. He danced to Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, after she died. I loved [panelist] Tabitha Haley; she’s a singer and an advocate. She sang a lot of songs at Pace University. She sings very nicely, she has a very good voice. I was so happy to be there, and I am planning to attend next year.
View Past Coverage of Pace Disability Film Festivals
Celebrating National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the 6th Annual Pace Film Festival
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and for six consecutive years, Pace University has celebrated the occasion with a film festival recognizing the achievements of people with disabilities in film. Held on Tuesday, March 20th, the evening showcased a series of short documentaries with a panel of experts dissecting the themes of each film following its screening. James P. Lawler, DPS, Professor of Disability Studies and Information Technology at Pace University served as the Chair of the festival.
Love and Marriage
Allan Goldstein, with Tabitha Haly
A few of the screened films centered on people with disabilities finding their way through romance: Love and Independence in East Providence, Can I Call You? and When Essie Met Ernest. Tabitha Haly, Vice President at JPMorgan Chase and a self-advocate, said that she had previously been featured in a New York Times article profiling the struggles people with disabilities have in the dating world. She encouraged everyone to be open-minded and to realize that “love is beyond any type of discrimination.”
Following the screening of Love and Independence, which profiled a couple who met at a sheltered workshop in Rhode Island, NYU Senior Lecturer, and sibling, Allan Goldstein said that the film had a universal message. “We all want work and love,” he said.
Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC New York City, applauded Rhode Island’s initiatives to integrate those who used to work in sheltered workshops, saying “Change doesn’t happen easily, but when it does happen it makes a difference.”
When Essie Met Ernest, a film created by an NYU student, told the story of longtime love between two New York City residents. The movie’s male namesake, Ernest, was in attendance at the festival. Marco said that he worked for UCP of NYC (now ADAPT Community Network) in 1989 when Ernest was married, and an audience member added that she was present during Essie and Ernest’s wedding ceremony.
Adil Sanai used his AAC device to express his views about the films and questions to the panel. He highlighted Academy Awards Best Picture winner The Shape of Water as a mainstream movie that positively featured characters with disabilities.
Sharing Stories
Other films showcased people with disabilities telling their personal stories in their own words. In What I Like About Myself, a variety of people shared some surprising responses to that inquiry. “We learn things about ourselves when others see things that we don’t see,” Marco said following that film.
Humans of San Jose, Jonathan, and Discovering the Truth with Tanner DeMita featured short profiles of young men with disabilities. Following these screenings, Tabitha talked about the challenges she encountered when she began to self-identify as a person with a disability and then realized that she needed to help others do the same by becoming a self-advocate.
Marijo Russell O’Grady closed the festival by asking the panel about how to continue to improve the lives of people with disabilities. In response, Allan Goldstein said, “When you see discrimination, say something about it.”
Maria Hodermarska thanks Harvey Weisenberg for his decades of advocacy inside and outside of the New York State Assembly.
Maria Hodermarska, Drama Therapy Teacher at NYU and a parent of a person with a disability suggested that improvements can be made by, “Making community, making relationships, and paying more attention to each other.”
“We’re better together, stronger together,” said Marco. “These people do not allow themselves to be defined by their disability. All diversity is good. It’s how we manage diversity to make it better for all of us that is a challenge.”
Summer in the Forest
There have been a number of opportunities for New Yorkers to view films about and by people with disabilities in recent months, made available to audiences through entities that champion their stories, such as ReelAbilities Film Festival New York.
Moviegoers might find the new documentary film, Summer in the Forest of particular interest. The film is focused on the story of L’Arche, a commune for people with disabilities, located at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris. The film explores the stories of the commune’s residents, who faced difficult challenges in their early lives when they were locked away in asylums, but who today have the opportunity to make the most of their lives.
You can read more about this event in an article posted on the Pace University website.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Pace University Film Festival Marathon celebrating people with disabilities on the silver screen featured inspiring stories, thoughtful discussion, and plenty of laughs and tears. Six short films both narratives and documentaries were presented, with each followed by a discussion from a distinguished panel of people with disabilities, experts in the field, and family members. The event was organized by Dr. James Lawler, Professor of Disability Studies and Information Technologies at Pace’s Seidenberg School.
The Films
- Stutter: A father and son dealing with the title speech impediment must prepare for a Career Day presentation; the director of the film, Ivo Huahua, took some questions after the film was shown
- Anna: A woman with autism has her daily routine interrupted and panics
- Children of God: A young Iraqi amputee puts his possessions on the line for a high-stakes soccer match
- Dancing on Wheels: After a ballerina suffers a paralyzing injury while walking on ice, she comes to terms with her situation and continues to teach her passion. “I don’t view my disability as good, bad, or indifferent,” she says. “It just is.“
- Picked: A young girl with autism searches for the perfect pumpkin, defying her teacher in the process
- 4 Quarters of Silence: In the gridiron hotbed of Texas, a deaf high school football team competes against all comers
Insightful Discussion
The panel discussion opened up with a question about how Hollywood is or is not improving in its portrayals of and the hiring of actors with disabilities. Gary Lind, Executive Director, AHRC New York City, remarked that while the film industry itself has much work to do, social media and the increase in independent film-making technology has made it easier than ever for those with disabilities to create and star in their own creative endeavors. Positive remarks were also made about Julia, the new Sesame Street character who has autism.
Self-advocate, Gilda Lindenblatt took part in the discussion
Following Stutter, parent and NYU lecturer Maria Hodermarska observed that many famous actors, such as James Earl Jones, stammered in their youth and used acting as a therapeutic tool. Bullying was a common theme in the short film, and third-grader Greta Baier said that the onus is on parents to reinforce that bullying behavior is unacceptable. “Parents should tell their kids that even if someone’s different they should still treat them the way you want to be treated.”
Self-advocate Gilda Lindenblatt, who lives in an AHRC NYC residence and attends Walter and Evelyn Redfield Day Services, said that she was motivated by Dancing on Wheels. “I was looking at [the movie] and the way she moved on that wheelchair, it was really amazing. She wanted to be like all other people and the way she did it, she was talented as a disabled person. That’s how it is-if they can manage to do it and have the talent, then it’s well worth it.”
Community Partnership Recognition
Pace University also used the occasion to thank many AHRC NYC employees for a decade of close community partnership. The staff members thanked are listed below by department:
- Gary Lind, Executive Director
- Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz, EdD, RN, Third Vice President, AHRC NYC Board of Directors
- Day Services: Harriet Golden, Director; Katerina Chatzistyli, Assistant Director; Lorraine Cohen, Assistive Technology Specialist; Pancho Diaz, Community Support Professional, Manhattan Day Hab Without Walls; Sarah Soriano, Facility Director, Manhattan Day Hab Without Walls; David Summers, Facility Director, Manhattan Day Habilitation; Darinka Vlahek, Director of Program Services
- Carole Gothelf, Director, Individualized Supports
- Philip Proctor, Director, Individualized Technology Strategies
- Educational Services: Christina Muccioli, Director; Andrew Winfrey, Principal, AHRC Middle High School; Estefania Flores, Transition Coordinator, AHRC Middle High School
- Employment and Business Services: Steve Towler, Assistant Executive Director; Laura Aneiro-McCaffrey, Assistant Director, EBS – Brooklyn; Yuliya Khripunkova, Program Director, Brooklyn EBS; Martha Perez, Employment Skills Coordinator, Brooklyn EBS
On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, Pace University hosted its Fourth Annual Celebration of Individuals with Disabilities in Film Marathon, concluding with a panel discussion and a screening of seven of the best films from the festival. Held in conjunction with the ReelAbilities New York Disabilities Film Festival and AHRC New York City (a longtime community partner of Pace), the narrative and documentary films viewed during the event showcased the daily lives, struggles, and triumphs of people with disabilities. The event was organized and chaired by James Lawler, DPS, Professor of Information Technology at Pace’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
Distinguished Panelists
This year’s panel included moderators Dr. Marijo Russell O’Grady, Dean for Students, Pace University; Melanie A. Greene, a student at Pace and Jefferson Award honoree; and Cassandra Raffucci, a self-advocate who attends AHRC NYC’s Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program at Kingsborough Community College.
Dr. Marilyn Jaffe Ruiz and Maria Hodermarska
Participating in the discussion were Panelists, Anita Altman, Founder of the ReelAbilities Film Festival; Kathy Broderick, Associate Executive Director, AHRC NYC; Victor Calise, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities; Allan B. Goldstein, Senior Lecturer, NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a sibling of a person with a disability; Maria Hodermarska, Teacher, New York University and a parent of two people on the autism spectrum; and Dr. Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz, Professor Emerita at Pace University, the AHRC NYC Board of Directors‘ Second Vice President, and a sibling of a person with a disability.
Opening Remarks
Dr. Jonathan Hill, Interim Dean of the Seidenberg School, started off the evening by saying that society has only reached “the tip of the iceberg in a really powerful movement” in its showcasing creative people with disabilities. “I have seen how a computer screen becomes an equal playing field,” said Dr. Hill. “A film screen can be no different than a computer screen.”
Self-advocate, Cassandra Raffucci with Pace University student, Melanie A. Greens
The panel began with a discussion of the recent controversy about the lack of diversity at this year’s Oscars ceremony in the context of how people with disabilities are portrayed in films. All the panelists agreed that the debate completely excluded the disabled community, especially disappointing in the words of Victor Calise because “the ‘D’ in ‘diversity’ stands for disability.”
Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz commented that films never discuss sexuality as it relates to people with disabilities and that we must focus “not only on the frequency but also that they are portrayed with full humanity.”
Allan Goldstein said, “It is up to typical people to provide a platform.”
Celebrating Diversity through Cinema
Seven short films were screened for the audience:
- Bumblebees – A teen with multiple disabilities approaches his greatest challenge yet: dating.
- Glimpse of Heaven – A day in the life of a blind man whose activities remind him of a past love.
- Jesse – Two siblings find their own ways to weigh grief and the challenges of autism.
- I Don’t Care – The perspective of a pregnant woman is challenged when she meets a person with Down Syndrome.
- Birthday – A couple adjusts to life after a tragic military incident.
- Welcome to the Last Bookstore – Following an accident that left him paralyzed, a man opens a bookstore. (documentary)
- Perfect – A man explains his life with obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette’s syndrome.
Discussions Based on the Films
Passionate and insightful discussions were spurred based on the themes presented in the films. After viewing Bumblebees Kathy Broderick said that everybody, regardless of ability, approaches dating differently and most are nervous.
Anita Altman, Founder, ReelAbilities Film Festival, and Allan B. Goldstein, Senior Lecturer at NYU and sibling of a person with disabilities
After Glimpse of Heaven Allan Goldstein encouraged people to “eliminate the word ‘pity’” when helping people with disabilities and stressed that they only have different needs.
Victor Calise added, “It’s only been 25 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed so we have a long way to go,” noting that people with disabilities often tend to associate only among groups of people who share their same condition, rather than banding together with larger groups of people with disabilities as a whole.
Among the other topics discussed were the notion of stigma for family members of people with disabilities, especially in public; the difficulties parents face when confronted with the news that their child is disabled; and the definitions of “perfect” and “typical.”
On March 25, the 3rd annual Celebration of Individuals with Disabilities in Film concluded at Pace University’s Michael Schimmel Center. The night was the culmination of the week-long festival showcasing films starring and made by people with disabilities. James Lawler, DPS, Professor of Information Technology at Pace University’s Seidenberg School chaired and organized the festival, which was free and open to the public. AHRC New York City is a community engagement partner with Pace University. Screened during the event, Lefty’s Lie: The Musical, starred and was directed by people supported and staff at AHRC NYC’s Betty Pendler Day Services.
Distinguished Guests
Marie Hodermarska and George Gallego
A distinguished panel discussed issues relating to people with disabilities in society and their portrayals in film. The panel included Victor Calise, Commissioner for the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities; Alice Elliot, Director of Welcome Change Productions; George Gallego, CEO of Wheels of Progress; Allan B. Goldstein, Lecturer at the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering; Marie Hodermarska, Teacher at NYU and a parent of a person with disabilities; Gary Lind, AHRC NYC’s Executive Director; Evan Yankey, Regional Coordinator of SANYS; and Isaac Zablocki, of ReelAbilities. The panel was moderated by Marijo Russell O’Grady, Ph.D., Dean for Students at Pace, and Kristen Thatcher, a self-advocate and graduate of AHRC NYC’s Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program at the College of Staten Island.
People with Disabilities as Portrayed in the Media
AHRC NYC Executive Director Gary Lind with Self Advocate Kristen Thatcher
The first question asked to the panel regarding the portrayal of people with disabilities in film and television. Alice Eliot mentioned that she had recently worked on a movie with a filmmaker living with multiple sclerosis and said that she “feels optimistic in my little microcosm.” Isaac Zablocki suggested that Hollywood is changing, and filmmakers can now reach more people than ever before without having to use the traditional distribution methods and expressed hope that this would greatly benefit filmmakers looking to feature people with disabilities. Victor Calise mentioned a positive and accurate portrayal in recent popular culture, Breaking Bad, which starred RJ Mitte, an actor with cerebral palsy. Gary Lind said that “personal media has a made a difference” in allowing people with disabilities to be shown how they want to be seen.
Films from the Festival
Five of the best films from the festival were screened, including Midfield, a Portuguese short documenting the immensely satisfying work and sports life of a man who has had multiple amputations; The Kiss, a hilarious narrative featuring an unusual and awkward encounter between two couples; The Gift of Impermanence, showcasing a dance company that incorporates typical and non-typical body types; Coaching Colburn, a documentary made by students at Trinity College which profiles a man living with Fragile X syndrome and his family, and also has gorgeous cinematography; and Guest Room, a film featuring young people with Down syndrome experiencing the complications of relationships, sex, and pregnancy; it stars Lauren Potter from the TV show Glee and was featured at this year’s South by Southwest festival.
The films were inspiring and emotional and helped spur spirited discussions from the audience and the panel. Towards the end of the event, George Gallego told the audience an inspiring message. “Society looks at a person with a disability and says ‘That’s something that needs to be fixed.’ I don’t need to be fixed. This is who I am.“
On the evening of March 31, 2014, Pace University hosted the second annual Celebration of Individuals with Disabilities in Film, International Film Festival and Discussion Panel. Upon arrival, attendees to the event were treated to a musical performance by the band, The Futures, who are composed of people receiving services through AHRC New York City, as well as some of the professionals who support them.
The panelists were asked to provide their opinions regarding the accuracy of media portrayals of people with disabilities.
Moderated by Pace University Dean of Students, Dr. Mariljo Russel O’Grady, the distinguished panel included Dr. James P. Lawler, Professor of Service-Learning, Pace University; Val Iturralde, Student of PACE’s Dyson School of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Janice Chisholm, Assistant Commissioner, NYC Bureau of Developmental Disabilities; Alice Elliot, Director, Welcome Change Productions; Maria Hodermarshka, Parent and Teacher, New York University; Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz, Sibling and Member of the Board of Directors, AHRC New York City; Gary Lind, Executive Director, AHRC New York City; Adil Sanai, Self-Advocate; and Anita Altman, Co-Founder, ReelAbilities: New York Disability Film Festival. The panelists were asked to provide their opinions regarding the accuracy of media portrayals of people with disabilities, and their advice on what might be done to facilitate accuracy in media related to disabilities.
Many people in our society learn about people with disabilities through mainstream media, rather than through face-to-face interactions. Depictions of people with disabilities in the media have a great impact of societal perceptions. Films and other media often apply stereotypes to story characters in order to save time in storytelling. In the real world, a disability can be a life-long reality that often requires ongoing attention and care.
Changes in Media Depictions of Disability
“The way that media has treated the disability issue has changed greatly in the past five to eight years. In part that’s because there are so many different images of disability,” said Gary Lind. “It used to be that we were dependent on what the three television networks might provide for us on television shows… Now we have all kinds of media and all kinds of depictions of people with disabilities.” Noting the increased use of social media websites by people who have disabilities, to speak about these topics from their own perspective, Gary added, “The idea of people making and creating and speaking for themselves is so important. The self-advocacy movement is all about people telling their own stories. As this happens, it influences storytelling in the public media.”
“Many people with disabilities may not be able to entirely speak on their own behalf,” added Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz, “[In cases of families where a person has a disability] within the family system, each person is affected, and so family members and those close to the person need to be a part of the story because they have learned to speak for and to speak with the person who has a disability.”
Portrayals of People with Disabilities
and their Real-World Impact
Sometimes, the media at large might focus on a person’s disability ahead of focusing on the person, resulting in a scenario wherein the audience is introduced to a ‘disabled person’ instead of ‘a person’ …who happens to have a disability. It’s a subtle distinction, but identifying the person ahead of the disability that they might have can mean a lot. It can affect the perceptions and expectations of a person with a disability.
panelists Gary Lind, Adil Sanai, and Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz
Asked by the panel moderator, “Why do you think people have lowered expectations of people with disabilities?” Adil Sanai responded, “I was told that even some parents of children with disabilities don’t think they could be successful, but I think people are now learning that people with disabilities can think, read, learn, work, and use computers. I’m sharing my life story to help people to understand how people with disabilities can be successful.” Adil has faced mobility and speech impairments in his life and has faced these challenges with determination. Advances in technology have enabled Adil to communicate aloud using a touch-screen device called Chat PC. Adil and many other people with speech impairments are making use of such devices to communicate, advocate for themselves, and to teach people about what they can contribute to their communities.
In the case of films depicting people with disabilities, some media apply a patronizing tone, including messages that people with disabilities are great heroes who are able to overcome their disabilities by the end of a story. Speaking to the question of whether or not Hollywood and the media at large properly portray people with disabilities, Maria Hodermarshka added, “I don’t think we’re there yet. We have to think about the way we encounter each other and perceive each other on a very basic level, and I think [as a society] we’re nowhere near that.”
Short Films
Guests of the Pace University Film Discussion watch the short film, The Interview
Maria’s outlook was further explored in one of several short films that were screened as a part of the event, the 2012 film, The Interviewer, directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith and Robin Bryan. In the film, a man who arrives for a job interview at a prestigious law firm faces his own preconceptions of disability when he learns that the person interviewing him happens to have down syndrome. Through their interaction, the man gains confidence in his interviewer’s professional abilities and later challenges his new employers to change their own perceptions about the benefits that a person with a disability can offer to the professional world.
AHRC New York City thanks the staff and students of Pace University, for inviting our organization to participate in this event. We also thank the panelists who contributed to the evening’s discussion by sharing their opinions and diverse experiences. Pace University has long been a partner with AHRC New York City, through Community Service Learning projects, which have greatly benefited people supported through our programs for several years.
