Intelligent Lives: Reshaping Expectations for Learning

Dan Habib

Award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib will screen and discuss portions of Intelligent Lives, his newest film project.  Intelligent Lives explores how the segregation of people with intellectual disabilities became the norm, why this segregation is slowly being dismantled, and how some people with intellectual disabilities are reshaping expectations for learning.  The film 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.

Bio: Dan Habib is the creator of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Mr. Connolly Has ALS and many other films on disability-related topics.  Habib is a filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.

His latest documentary Intelligent Lives examines our society’s narrow perceptions of intelligence.

Habib received 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.  In 2014, Habib was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.  

Habib and his wife, Betsy, live in Concord, NH, with their sons Isaiah, 23, and Samuel, 20.

2020 Speaker List