Disability Reconsidered: Using Film to Continue the Dialogue on Disability and Life

AHEAD 2009 Global Access: Opening a World of OpportunityLouisville, Kentucky, USAFriday, July 24TH 8:30 AM-10:30 AM

Karen R. Pettus, Ph. D.Director, Student Disability ServicesUniversity of South Carolina

• What is the last movie you saw?

• What is one scene or message you remember from that movie?

• Do you remember a particular movie that made an impact on your life? In what way?

Brief Overview of Disability Studies

• Discipline of Disability Studies– interdisciplinary field of study, – focuses on the contributions, experiences, history, and

culture of people with disabilities – challenges the view of disability as an individual deficit

or defect that can be remedied solely through medical intervention or rehabilitation

– examines social, political, cultural, and economic factors that define disability

– works to de-stigmatize disease, illness, and impairment– encourages participation by disabled students and

faculty, and should ensure physical and intellectual access

– creates an environment where contributions from anyone who shares the above goals are welcome

from The Society for Disability Studies

Using Films

• Instructional tool or discussion starter

• Entire film, scene, or still shot • Introduce topic, discussion aid, or

evaluation tool • Feature Films, film clips,

documentaries, television shows, You Tube

Copyright Infringement

• Educational Exemption• The Educational Exemption, also called the "face-to-face teaching

exemption," is a precise activity which allows the legal use of movies in certain types of teaching. In order for a movie to be considered an "Educational Exemption," all criteria must be met:

• A teacher or instructor is present. • The showing takes place in a classroom setting with only the

enrolled students attending. • The movie is used as an essential part of the core, current

curriculum being taught. (The instructor should be able to show how the use of the motion picture contributes to the overall required course study and syllabus.)

• The movie being used is a legitimate copy, not taped from a legitimate copy or taped from TV.

• If you are uncertain about your responsibilities under copyright law, consult your school's legal copyright representative.

http://www.movlic.com/k12/copyright.html

Using Films

• Determine the topic• Screen the film first• Prepare participants before

viewing• Set expectations• After viewing discuss reactions

Ways to Use Media

• Describe or discuss the images of the disabled in the movie

• Describe or discuss the ways the movie attacks “ableism” or “disability”

• Are there gender differences in the way characters are portrayed

• Discuss factors such as socialization

Topics in Disability Studies

• Related topics• Disability Rights • Living with Disabilities • Multiple Sclerosis • Disability Travel • Full Inclusion • Learning Disability • Cerebral Palsy • Sleeping Disorder • Brain Injury • Veterans on Campus

Inclusion and Post Secondary Education

• Through the Same Door: Inclusion Includes College– A film about a young adult with cognitive

disabilities going to college– How do people react to Micah and his desire

to go to college?

Kristy’s Video from Photovoice

• Made by Kristy and her Resident Mentor• Kristy believed that her dorm was in

violation of the ADA• Initially made to get the attention of

“powers-that-be”• Ultimately used in Photovoice to

demonstrate “accessibility” vs. “usability”• Made a huge impression on administrators

• Watch for violations of the ADA in this video

Resources

• Teach With Movies– http://www.teachwithmovies.org/

• The Iris Center Interactive Resources– http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resource_TOOL_fil

m/film.html

• Because Films Inspire– http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/teaching/witm/classro

om.html

• Association for Psychological Science– http://www.psychologicalscience.org/teaching/tips/tip

s_0703.cfm

• Society for the Teaching of Psychology– http://teachpsych.org/otrp/resources/nelson06.pdf

Resources

• Disability Film Festivals– University of Oregon

• http://studydisability.uoregon.edu/filmfestival.html

– disAbility Film Festival and Speaker Series• http://www.disabilityfilmfest.org/

Resources

– Books• Reflections for Movie Lovers Matthew Kinne• The Cinema of Isolation: A History of Physical

Disability in the Movies Martin F. Norden

• No Pity Joseph P. Shapiro• Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity

Simi Linton