ROSEBURG, Oregon – Umpqua Community College (UCC) is proud to present a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib. Intelligent Lives, a film that challenges IQ testing and the limits placed on people with intellectual disabilities, will be shown Tuesday, April 23. The cost-free event, which is open to the public, will be shown in the Danny Lang Teaching, Learning and Event Center; located on the main UCC campus.

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. Chris Cooper, an Academy Award-winning actor and narrator, 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.

Micah

Naieer

Naomie

People with intellectual disabilities are the most segregated of all Americans, Habib says. 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 challenges what it means to be intelligent, and points to a future in which people of all abilities can fully participate in higher education, meaningful employment, and intimate relationships. The documentary is being shown at UCC courtesy of the Associated Students of Umpqua Community College, UCC’s Accessibility Services, and the Douglas County Disability Services Advisory Council.

We are asking for community members to come with an open mind and ideas about how we can move toward a more inclusive community in Roseburg, and how we might help make our vision a reality, Les Rogers, one of the event organizers, said.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a brief introduction. The film starts at 6 p.m. Click here for a preview. Click here to add this event to your calendar.

About Umpqua Community College

Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.

Contact

Les Rogers
Director, SSS TRiO-Transfer Opportunity Program
Phone: 541-440-7746