April 15, 2022
Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) has many resources to help teachers and their students recognize the rich history and contributions of people who are deaf or hearing impaired, as well as those who are autistic.
No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie
One of DCMP’s offerings is No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie. John Maucere stars as a deaf actor who plays a superhero and must reveal the man behind the cape to inspire eight-year-old Jacob, a young deaf boy, to believe him. SuperDeafy influences Jacob to redefine what “being normal” means and to find the courage to stand up to a school bully. The cast includes Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, Shoshannah Stern, and Ryan Lane. The film marks the first time in cinematic history that a Screen Actors Guild commercial feature film was produced exclusively by deaf executive producers and directed by a director who is deaf. The film is at the grade/interest level of 5–8. Students can view the film on the DCMP website.
Autism Goes to College
The award-winning documentary Autism Goes to College, from the Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, recognizes diversity, equity, and inclusion on the internet. The documentary introduces five students on the spectrum who take viewers on campus and into their lives to see how they are doing in college. The film takes an insightful look at what these students bring to the campus. It is at the grade/interest level of 7–12. DCMP presents the accessible version of Autism Goes to College through its partnership with The Video Project.