NH filmmaker, disability rights advocate Dan Habib to speak about inclusive education at PSU Feb. 17

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth State University will welcome award-winning New Hampshire disability rights advocate and filmmaker Dan Habib for “Disabling Segregation,” a Saul O Sidore lecture, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, examining how inclusive educational practices work to end systemic segregation for students with disabilities.

Habib didn’t give much thought to disability, until his son Samuel was born. In this eye-opening talk, the disability rights advocate describes his family’s efforts to ensure an inclusive education for Samuel, and makes a case for ending the systemic segregation of students with disabilities. Habib shares how inclusive education is not only preparing Samuel for adult life in the community, but how inclusive education benefits students of all abilities. Habib’s talk will include a screening and discussion of the Emmy Award-winning New York Times documentary film he co-directed with Samuel, "My Disability Roadmap."

Habib is the inclusive communities project director at the Westchester Institute for Human Development and the founder of LikeRightNow Films. He is the director and producer of the nationally broadcast documentary films "Intelligent Lives," "Including Samuel," "Who Cares About Kelsey?", "Mr. Connolly Has ALS" and many others on disability-related topics. His films have been featured in dozens of film festivals, translated into 17 languages and used worldwide to support inclusive education and disability rights.

Habib has been honored with the Champion of Human and Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association, and the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. He served on President Barack Obama’s President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities from 2014 to 2017.

Habib, who lives in Concord, was a staff photographer for The Concord Monitor from 1988 to 1992, and served as photo editor from 1995 to 2008.

The lecture series is free and open to the public, and reservations are recommended. Unless otherwise noted, lectures take place in the Smith Recital Hall in the Silver Center for the Arts on the Plymouth State University campus.

For more information and to register to attend, visit plymouth.edu/sidore.