MayFest film ‘Including Samuel’ demonstrates importance of inclusion for people with disabilities

MayFest film ‘Including Samuel’ demonstrates importance of inclusion for people with disabilitiesApril 14, 2008Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s School of Education is sponsoring the MayFest presentation of the film “Including Samuel,” a touching and insightful look at how educational and social inclusion transforms the lives of young people with disabilities, at noon and 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in Watson Theater in the Menschel Media Center, 316 Waverly Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

The film by photojournalist Dan Habib shows how he and his family have involved his son Samuel, who has cerebral palsy, in all aspects of school and community life. “Including Samuel” also examines the inclusion experiences of four other families and features interviews with dozens of teachers, young people and disability rights experts, including School of Education Dean Douglas Biklen and Mara Sapon-Shevin, professor of teaching and leadership programs in the School of Education.

Habib produced, directed and filmed “Including Samuel,” which won the 2007 Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. The film was named “Best Documentary” at the 2007 Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival and has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and in The Washington Post and the Boston Globe.

Habib is filmmaker-in-residence at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Until joining UNH in April of 2008, Habib was the photography editor of the Concord Monitor.