Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Office of Disability Services in coordination with the Fair Shake Network will sponsor a viewing of the documentary “Including Samuel” and a panel discussion on inclusive education on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 134 of the Wilson University Union.
The event is free and open to the public.
The award-winning educational documentary was shot over four years by filmmaker Dan Habib and tells the story of his son, Samuel, who has cerebral palsy and the family’s efforts to include Samuel in every effort of their lives. The film portrays his family’s hopes and struggles as well as the experiences of four other individuals with disabilities and their families.
Prior to the showing of the film, three WVSU students will open the event by talking about their personal experiences in overcoming challenges and continuing their education. Sports Studies major DeRaugh Brown and Special Education major Hanna Workman will be talking about their experiences with ADHD, while Emily Robinson, an Elementary Education with Special Education major, will talk about her experiences with cerebral palsy.
“We haven’t done anything like this before. We’ve connected with the Education and Social Work Departments to draw students who are interested in special education and inclusion and how it’ll affect them in their professional development,” said WVSU Disability Services Counselor Tiffany Clark. “It’s important that we provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and the community to discuss inclusion and disabilities because it isn’t talked about a lot.”
A panel discussion on inclusive education will follow the screening of the film and will feature panelists from the West Virginia Department of Education, as well as the Education and Social Work Departments at WVSU.
For more information, contact Tiffany Clark at or (304) 766-3083.
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