Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti today announced a groundbreaking partnership with the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest festival in the United States dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Through this first-of-its-kind partnership for ReelAbilities, all New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) educators will have free and unlimited access to fiction and nonfiction films created by and for individuals with disabilities that focus on disability and deaf culture. Educators will also have access to companion lesson plans and discussion guides designed for each film. There are currently forty films with lesson plans available for classroom use, and NYCPS and ReelAbilities plan to create additional classroom guides to complement the more than 500 films in the ReelAbilities archive.
“As a parent and former teacher, I recognize the impact of representation—when students see their experiences authentically portrayed and their narratives shared,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “I believe that optimal learning occurs when students feel secure, welcomed, and supported, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to creating that environment for every child in our school system.”
“The Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning was established to elevate the voices and experiences of historically underrepresented communities, especially people with disabilities,” said New York City Public Schools Deputy Chancellor for the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning Christina Foti. “Our mission is to create schools and classrooms where diversity is not only recognized but truly celebrated. Through our partnership with ReelAbilities, we are furthering this commitment by uplifting the lived experiences of students with disabilities and ensuring their stories are seen, heard, and valued.”
“Film is a powerful educational tool—one that sparks meaningful conversations, fosters disability inclusion, and shifts perceptions in profound and lasting ways,” said Isaac Zablocki, founder and CEO, ReelAbilities. “Since 2007, ReelAbilities has championed the power of cinema to drive change, and this partnership only strengthens that mission. We are thrilled to collaborate in advancing our shared goals and ensuring these impactful films reach students and teachers across the New York City Public School system.”
The partnership, administered by the Special Education Office, aligns with key recommendations from its Boldly Reimagining Special Education report emphasizing the importance of fostering an inclusive, anti-ableist culture within schools and amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences.
“We believe that storytelling through film has the power to shift mindsets and foster a school-wide culture of inclusion,” said Victor Edwards, Central Student Advocate and member of the New York City Public Schools Special Education Advisory Council. “By including the voices and experiences of people in our community, we give youth advocates the tools they need to create a more inclusive future.”
“The collaboration between NYCPS and ReelAbilities Film Festival shows our mutual commitment to creating an educational environment that embraces and celebrates inclusivity for all children” said New York City Public Schools Chief of Special Education Suzanne Sanchez. “By leveraging the arts and storytelling, we are setting a new standard for how schools can prioritize inclusivity and celebrate the unique contributions of every student.”
ReelAbilities will also host a film screening and talkback at the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning’s Summit this spring. These offerings will enable students to engage with authentic narratives, participate in meaningful discussions, and explore the arts as a medium for expression and advocacy.
Today’s announcement builds on the Adams administration’s work to create a more inclusive environment for our students with disabilities. Last year, we launched the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning, a division focused on supporting multilingual learners and students with disabilities to build holistic educational experiences for every student – no matter their background or ability. Our administration expanded access by adding 1,000 specialized program seats for students, published our first report by the Chancellor’s Special Education Advisory Council to help reimagine special education in New York City, and expanded the SEED program for students with sensory needs to 79 sites across all 5 boroughs, serving over 3,600 students.
Under this administration, we partnered with Special Olympics NY to offer unified sports for over 2,100 students with and without disabilities, opened and operated six Saturday Academy sites to provide related services and small group academic interventions for over 1,000 students, and for incoming autistic kindergarteners.