The University of Toledo

A short film series will be presented by The University of Toledo Disability Studies Program Wednesday, March 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Student Union Room 3020 on Main Campus.

The first film, “Offense Taken,” documents a community’s response to a show titled “Rise of the Celebretards” by a Minneapolis theater company. The documentary also serves as a springboard for discussion about language like, for example, “Does artistic freedom outweigh human rights?”

The second film, “The Kids Are All Right,” is a documentary about disability rights activist Mike Ervin, who challenges the pitiful representation of people with disabilities in Jerry Lewis’ Labor Day telethon. The film’s objective is to raise awareness about the effects of pity, and charity and the perception of disability.

In the last film, “The Perfect Flaw: Triumphing Over Facial Disfigurement,” David Roche recounts the details of his life with a facial vascular malformation complicated by radiation burns. He uses his life and sense of humor to help people address issues such as self-esteem and fear of rejection.

“This film series helps expand our understanding of what it really means to be human in the world,” said Dr. Jim Ferris, Ability Center of Greater Toledo Endowed Chair in Disability Studies, director of the UT Disability Studies Program and associate professor of communication.

Refreshments will be provided at this free, public event.

For more information, call the UT Disability Studies Program at 419.530.7244.

This entry was posted  on  Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at  5:10 am and is filed under  Events, UToday.
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