“Youth with disabilities are disproportionately represented in correctional facilities and estimated to form up to 80% of incarcerated youth.
Youth with disabilities are more likely to be incarcerated at an earlier age and be repeat offenders.”
SOCIAL IMPACT
OVERVIEW
BEING MICHELLE presents a special opportunity to raise awareness around the disproportionate impact of incarceration and systemic discrimination of Deaf and Disabled people. The film can help shift the public safety narrative from one of policing and incarceration to one of community and public health investments. Michelle’s story also demonstrates the significance of art as a healing tool.
DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL IMPACT CAMPAIGN FOR BEING MICHELLE.
YOUR DONATION WILL SUPPORT EXPENSES FOR MICHELLE AND OUR TEAM TO USE THIS POWERFUL FILM TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATE ON FUNDAMENTAL AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS FOR DEAF & DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
GOALS
We have the right to communication.
•Prestigious film festival screenings to build awareness & alliances between criminal justice and disability justice advocates augmented by a robust social media campaign to increase awareness and support collaboration across communities
•National Grassroots Screening Campaign in key states in partnership with Deaf schools and partner organizations fighting for disability & criminal justice to bring together Deaf and Disabled leaders and communities, judges, lawyers, public defenders, law enforcement, prison guards, interpreters, mental health care providers and social workers
•Special Screenings with legislators to encourage them to make critical policy changes
•Special Screenings with tech companies to educate on existing gaps in communication access for Deaf individuals in the criminal justice system
• National Television Broadcast on PBS to reach millions of viewers
• Educational and discussion materials to facilitate important conversations written in collaboration with academic advisors and community advocates specializing in Deaf and Disabled people in the criminal justice system
• Partnerships with international organizations to connect with the film with international disability justice advocates
VIEW THESE MESSAGES FROM OUR PRODUCING TEAM!
New York City Premiere
Conversation following the screening of "Being Michelle" moderated by Dr. Mei Kennedy.
We won the Audience Award!! Thank you Florida Film Festival and all the audience members who helped vote #BeingMichelle in! We are so honored! Stay tune by visiting our website to sign up for updates!
Being Michelle Big Sky Film Festival 2022
Being Michelle - Michelle’s Message from Missoula, MT
BEING MICHELLE presents a special opportunity to raise awareness around the disproportionate
impact of incarceration on Deaf and Disabled people.
Here's a special message from #BeingMichelle's Social Impact Producer, Dr. Mei Kennedy.
Being Michelle - Executive Producer Delbert Whetter and Associate Producer Harold Foxx.
Executive Producer Delbert Whetter and Associate Producer Harold Foxx have a special message about the film.
Being Michelle Big Sky Outtake.
Being Michelle - A message from Associate Producer Harold Foxx.
In honor of today, December 3rd, being International Day of Persons with Disabilities, our Associate Producer Harold Foxx has a special message from all of us at Being Michelle, the film.
TELL YOUR STORY CAMPAIGN
#RightToCommunication #DisabilityJustice #DeafInPrison #DisabledInPrison #ArtTherapy #TraumaRecovery #TellYourStory #DeafPlus
Artwork by Michelle Ricks
#TellYourStory
We are currently gathering stories from other Deaf and Disabled people who have experienced injustice in the criminal justice system. Do you have a story to tell? Please connect with us!
If you don’t wish to share your story publicly we can discuss ways for you to share your story without sharing your identity.
Artwork by Michelle Ricks
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
“Black individuals with disabilities are at particularly high risk for arrest, with 55% being arrested by age 28.”
“According to a report by Ruderman Family Foundation, between 1/3 and 1/2 of people killed by law enforcement officers have a disability.
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“According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, people with disabilities experience rape and sexual assault at more than twice the rate at which persons without disabilities do.”
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