ReelAbilities International

October is #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth! ReelAbilities proudly screened THE INTERVIEWER at YAI Network — an organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stream the film at ReelAbilities.com/Stream. Use code YAIOCT for one FREE stream through Oct 31!

October is...
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Blindness Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
ADHD Awareness Month
...and more!

Browse our film categories and watch fitting titles on demand at Reelabilities.org/Stream!

Celebrate #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth with us on October 16 for a screening of LEFT BEHIND! The film will be followed by a Q + A with director Anna Toomey and film subject Emily Hellstrom.

🗓️ October 16 at 6 PM
📍Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
🎟️ reelabilities.org/newyork/sc...

A film still from Words Left Unspoken of a white man smiling. Text on the image reads "Feature Films Words Left Unspoken. October 2nd, 5:30-8:00 PM. Join us for a FREE Screening and discussion with Speech-Language Pathologist, Arin Sheeler. Greater Columbus Art's Council 182 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43215" and logos for ReelAbilities Columbus, Art Possible Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Art Makes Columbus, and GCAC.

Join ReelAbilities Film Festival: Columbus on Oct 2 for a screening of Words Left Unspoken, followed by a discussion led by Speech-Language Pathologist, Arin Sheeler.

More Info & Tickets 🎟️ reelabilities.org/columbus

Happy Friday! We're highlighting another interview from ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2025 🎤

We love this clip of advisory board members Pavar Snipe and Xian Horn chatting about being a part of the ReelAbilities community!

Happy #InternationalWeekOfTheDeaf 🤟 ReelAbilities is proud to elevate Deaf stories through film and collaborate with Deaf creatives like Lauren Ridloff, @marleematlin.bsky.social , and @ndimarco.bsky.social

Black graphic with orange ReelAbilities logo and white text "ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2026. One more week to submit your film. Regular deadline: Oct 1 Filmfreeway.com/reelabilities."

The regular deadline to submit your film to ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2026 is October 1st! Our extended deadline is October 24, but the price to submit goes up.

Visit FilmFreeway.com/Reelabilities for more details and to submit your film today!

Four @womenmakemovies.bsky.social films have been added to ReelAbilities Stream!

🎥 The R-Word by Amanda Lukoff
🎥 Is There Anybody Out There? by Ella Bee Glendining
🎥 Neurodivergent by Afton Quast Saler
🎥 Defiant Lives directed by Sarah Barton

...are available on-demand at ReelAbilities.org/Stream

Relive ReelAbilities: New York 2025 through our festival and summit recap video 🎉


From powerful films to transformative conversations, watch back the moments that moved us, connected us, and sparked change!

Watch the full recap video ▶️ zurl.co/hF47J

Black and orange graphic with a film still from Left Behind of a mother and son. Text reads "Left Behind. October 16 | 6 PM. Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan" with the ReelAbilities logo and accessibility icons.

New screening alert 🎥 LEFT BEHIND will be playing at the MMJCC Manhattan on Oct 16 at 6pm in celebration of #NDEAM!

The film follows a group of determined moms who open New York City’s first public school for dyslexic students.

TICKETS 🎟️ zurl.co/Db2Oz

An orange graphic with white and black text that reads "We're hiring! Apply for our hybrid part-time Program Administrator role in New York City.

We are expanding our team! ReelAbilities is seeking a part-time Program Administrator to support our programs and mission of creating an inclusive and accessible society, both on and off the screen.

Job Description & Application Instructions 💼 zurl.co/ZZ7qz

Quote in bold white text: “Say the word. If ‘disabled’ makes you flinch, ask who benefits from your discomfort—then use the word twice.” The image doesn’t whisper. It shouts: Disability is culture, not a curse word.

Some words, like good scotch, get better, bolder, more badass with time. Others? Curdle like sour milk.

Using #Disabled reclaims with purpose and power.
The R-word? So yesterday, it's retired.

Understand the difference. Use accordingly.

zurl.co/kZInE

@reelabilities.bsky.social
#SayTheWord

We're highlighting red carpet interviews from ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2025 🎤 Enjoy this clip of @whereswaldman.bsky.social about the importance of ReelAbilities fostering community in New York. Stay tuned for more red carpet interviews every Friday on our social media!

Some words we say. Some we retire.

The Bottom Line? If the R-word is still your idea of an “edgy” punchline in 2025, your comedy’s not bold—it’s basic.

#DISABLED #SayTheWord #ReelAbilities #WordsMatter

@reelabilities.bsky.social
@vulture.com

Black and orange graphic with quote from Lawrence Carter-Long on ReelAbilities' Dis & That blog, "Say the word. If “disabled” makes you flinch, ask who benefits from your discomfort—then use the word twice."

Director of Engagement @lcarterlong.bsky.social is back with a new blog post on Dis & That!

In "Some Words We Say. Some We Don’t. Here’s Why." Lawrence revisits DISABLED. #SayTheWord 10 years after it went viral.

Read on the Dis & That Blog 📰 zurl.co/kZInE

Three film stills on a black graphic. Text above reads "Reel Education" and text below on an orange banner reads "ReelAbilities.org/Workplace" and a white and orange graphic that reads: "How it works: 1. Look through the age-groups below and select the film you would like to share with your students. 2. Fill out a film request form. 3. Check your email for a video link, password, and lesson plan. 4. If you have any issues please contact info@reelabilities.org."

Did you know ReelAbilities offers FREE educational resources? 📓

This #BackToSchool season, check out our Reel Education program. Learn more about Reel Education at reelabilities.org/reeleducation

3 weeks left to submit your film to RFFNY 2026! Learn more + submit here: filmfreeway.com/reelabilities

ReelAbilities was featured on CBS News! 📺 Join ReelAbilities Film Festival: Pittsburgh in-person this weekend and virtually through September 11th!

Full news segment: zurl.co/mR8YV
Showtimes and Tickets: zurl.co/fT3AA

A film still of a boy with Down Syndrome smiling. White and orange text reads "Reframing Disability. ReelAbilities Film Festival Pittsburgh. Sept 4 - 6, Pittsburgh Playhouse. Sept 5 - 11, Virtual."

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Pittsburgh starts TOMORROW! 🎬 Join in-person at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse or virtually if you live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or Ohio.

Find more info and purchase in-person + virtual tickets at filmpittsburgh.org/pages/ree...

A ReelAbilities tote bag next to a blue towel laying in the sand on a beach.

Happy Labor Day Weekend from ReelAbilities! ☀️

We hope you've had a wonderful summer and enjoy the holiday. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, programming, and opportunities coming this fall!

4 film stills of Forget Me Not, Jmaxx and the Universal Language, Remedial, and Unteachable. Above is the ReelAbilities Stream logo and white text in an orange box "Back-to-School Films." An orange banner at the bottom reads "Watch online at reelabilities.org/stream"

It's #BackToSchool season! Check out these films about education on ReelAbilities Stream...

• Forget Me Not
• Jmaxx and the Universal Language
• Remedial
• Unteachable

STREAM ONLINE 💻 zurl.co/tpwFl

We're sharing another red carpet interview from ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2025 🎤 Today, we're highlighting long-time ReelAbilities friend and attendee, Simi Linton! Stay tuned for more red carpet interviews every Friday on our social media!

Our 2025 Industry Summit Sessions are available to stream on demand! Enjoy this clip from "Filmmakers Talk - The State of Disability Filmmaking"

Stream the full discussion and more 2025 Summit Sessions ▶️ zurl.co/KeZJQ

We're highlighting red carpet interviews from ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2025 🎤Starting off with our 2025 Spotlight Award recipient... Marissa Bode! Stay tuned for more red carpet interviews every Friday.

Black and orange graphic with quote from Lawrence Carter-Long in Able News "Access must be woven into every frame, every script, every stage. Not as an afterthought, but as the new baseline for creativity."

A recently announced NYC bill could create more accessible entertainment sets and prioritize the hiring of disabled talent. Our Director of Engagement @lcarterlong.bsky.social reacts in Able News.

Full article 📰 zurl.co/ODFJ6

#TheRideAhead made its New York premiere at @docnycfest.bsky.social presented in partnership with ReelAbilities. Now, the film is available to stream for FREE on PBS through September 19!

Stream The Ride Ahead: rideaheadfilm.com/watchpbs
Watch the full Q&A: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdTq...

An orange a black graphic with a photo of Margaret holding a video camera pointed at Angela sitting on a bench. White and black text reads "Guest Blog Post. What We Owe to Each Other: On Friendship, Filming, and Telling the Hard Stories. By Margaret Byrne."

Today on the "Dis and That" blog, we have a guest post from Margaret Byrne, director of ANY GIVEN DAY, remembering her late friend and central figure in the documentary, Angela Roaché-Peña.

Read the blog 💻 zurl.co/aNsbN
Stream ANY GIVEN DAY 🎬 zurl.co/Tls83

ReelAbilities teamed up with @tcmtv.bsky.social to present the Disability in Film showcase during #DisabilityPrideMonth 📺

Watch ReelAbilities' Lawrence Carter-Long and TCM's Eddie Muller introduce and share commentary on each film: zurl.co/0SzXw

A red and black graphic with white text that reads "Access: Horror. So inclusive it's scary! In partnership with the George A. Romero Foundation and SHUDDER, our hybrid festival and industry summit will take place on August, 1 2025."

Happening tomorrow... @accesshorror.bsky.social! Join in-person at @dctvny.bsky.social or virtually at 4pm ET.

Tickets & More Info ➡️ zurl.co/JiU7U

So grateful to @tcmparty @reelabilities.bsky.social @lcarterlong.bsky.social @eddiemuller.bsky.social for sharing this beautiful film #Compensation with us. As a Chicagoan, it’s a recovered piece of our film history, and our history history, #tcmparty