Panel, viewing March 11 for advocacy film about disabilities

The power of words is a theme for a March 11 viewing and panel discussion about “The R-Word,” a film that dives into the history and implications of words, and current attitudes and perceptions about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The College of Health and Human Performance is hosting a film and panel discussion about the power of words on March 11 at the Main Campus Student Center.

The event is hosted by the College of Health and Human Performance at Black Box Theater in the ECU Main Campus Student Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the free screening begins at 6.

“The main message I would like to emphasize from the film is that the words we use to describe and talk about people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities has a huge impact on subsequent perceptions, behaviors and actions,” said Dr. Lindsey Oakes, assistant professor in the ECU Department of Recreation Sciences. “We should always strive to remember that we are all people first, regardless of diagnoses or disabilities. See and get to know the person first. You will see that we are all much more alike than we are different.”

Oakes and the recreation sciences department have received a wave of community support scheduled to attend and have information available for guests. Partners includes Awaken Coffee, Aces for Autism, Special Olympics N.C. and the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, Autism Society of North Carolina, the Design for Disability Initiative, ECU’s recreational therapy program, Dance Ability and others.

Oakes will moderate the panel discussion following the film. The panelists are: Terri Joyner, parent advocate; Lyndsey Joyner, sibling advocate and special education teacher; Jennifer Dyson, community advocate and general manager/co-founder of Awaken Coffee; Olivia Murray, self-advocate with IDD; T-why Craig, self-advocate with IDD.

“The panel discussion will bring all of the great messages from the film about people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and the importance of language to life with a local context,” Oakes said. “I am looking forward to facilitating a discussion between the panelists, who are strong local self-advocates and advocates, and the audience.”

“The R-Word” is directed by Amanda Lukoff. It uses self-advocates and sibling stories to offer perspective into challenges and triumphs of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A virtual screening option is available. Email Oakes at oakesl23@ecu.edu for Webex meeting details.