Perspectives in Progress: Disability Advocacy 32 Years After the Ladd School
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 13, 2025
6:30 pm
Free and open to all
Film screening of Best Judgment: Ladd School Lessons followed by a panel discussion and Q+A
ABOUT THE PANEL
“Perspectives in Progress” is a film screening and panel discussion centered around the documentary film Best Judgment: Ladd School Lessons. The film uses the history of the Rhode Island institution that housed individuals with disabilities from 1908–1993 to examine problematic treatment and attitudes toward people with disabilities. The program will be held in the main gallery at the JAC surrounded by the exhibition The Sun featuring artwork by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, where speakers—including filmmakers, scholars, and disability arts advocates—will contextualize historical events presented in the film and draw connections to contemporary care practices for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
PANELISTS:
Joanne Eichinger, Ph.D. Professor emeritus of special education at URI
Deanne Gagne Advocates in Action RI and Founder of Bridge Building Services
Maggie Sebastian Former Ladd Center resident featured in Best Judgement
Jim Wolpaw Co-director of Best Judgement
Perspectives in Progress made possible in part through funding support from Rhode Island Humanities, an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. RI Humanities seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Rhode Island Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
ABOUT THE FILM
Over 15 years in the making, Best Judgment examines the history of the Joseph H. Ladd Center, Rhode Island's former institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More than just a history lesson, this unique documentary is the result of a collaborative effort between former Ladd residents and others with disabilities, local musicians, and veteran media professionals. Best Judgment uses the history of the Ladd Center as a starting point to examine past and present attitudes toward those with disabilities and consider where our society should we go from here. The film concludes by considering a path toward a "better judgment".
Produced by Advocates in Action RI | Co-Directed Jim Wolpaw and Bob Macaux