Film, speaker at Manchester explore changes in attitudes, treatment of those labeled with intellectual disabilities
What, exactly, does it mean to be intelligent? A film showing in March at Manchester University follows an artist in Boston who dreams of art school and college, a Rhode Island woman from Haiti who is learning to work in a hair salon, and a New York college student who wants to become an advocate for those with disabilities.
In the not-so-distant past, such possibilities would be unheard of for those labeled with having intellectual disabilities.
Dan Habib’s Intelligent Lives will be shown at 6 p.m., Monday, March 11 at the Fort Wayne campus of Manchester University, 10627 Diebold Road, and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 in the Jo Young Switzer Center on the North Manchester campus.
The film highlights the skill sets, personalities and challenges faced by the three individuals classified as having intellectual disabilities. It also takes a hard look at IQ testing in the United States, which includes policies that have been shown to put immigrants and minorities at a disadvantage.
After the film, David Buuck, executive director of CASS Housing in Fort Wayne and a member of the Northeast Indiana Disability Association Coalition, will speak about the issues involved and how the landscape continues to change.
Presentations at both campuses are free and open to the public.
“Intelligent Lives: Looking Beyond a Test” is made possible with funding from the Values, Ideas and the Arts series at Manchester. Organizer of the presentations is Ahmed Abdelmageed, assistant dean of Student, Alumni and Community Engagement at the Fort Wayne campus.
About Manchester
Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 70 areas of academic study to nearly 1,600 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, a Master of Athletic Training a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy and a four-year dual degree in pharmacy and pharmacogenomics. Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu .
For the mediaMore on CASS HousingMore on Intelligent LivesContact Dr. AbdelmageedOur mission
Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.
February 2019