RUMFORD — Hope Association is hosting a screening of the new documentary “Intelligent Lives” Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m. at Hope Association’s main office, 85 Lincoln Ave., formerly the Rumford Armory. The screening and discussion are free and open to the public.
“Intelligent Lives” stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities — Micah, Naieer and Naomie — who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional story of his son, Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S.
“People with intellectual disabilities are the most segregated of all Americans,” noted Dan Habib, the film’s director and producer. “Only 17 percent of students with intellectual disabilities are included in regular education. Just 40 percent will graduate from high school, and of the 6.5 million Americans with intellectual disability, barely 15 percent are employed.”
“Intelligent Lives” is a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America.
Advance registration is strongly encouraged.To register or learn more, visit www.HopeAssociation.org.
Hope Association has been providing services and supports to individuals with disabilities for over 60 years now. Many individuals supported over the years have gone from 24/7/365 daily support to incredibly independent lives out in the community of their choosing. Come meet some of these incredible individuals and hear firsthand their stories that led to independent living.
Habib is a filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, having created award-winning documentaries. His films have been broadcast internationally, nominated for Emmy awards and translated into 17 languages. Habib gave the TEDx talk, “Disabling Segregation” and received the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. In 2014, Habib was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
