WIHD’s Dan Habib and Samuel Habib win a national Emmy for My Disability Roadmap

VALHALLA, NY (October 2023) — Dan Habib and Samuel Habib of the Westchester Institute for Human Development won a News & Documentary Emmy Award for their short film, “My Disability Roadmap”. Their New York Times Op-Docs film was honored at the September 27, 2023, ceremony held at the Palladium Times Square Theater in New York City.

In the film, the father-son filmmaking team document the path to adulthood for Samuel, who lives with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in a gene known as GNAO1. Samuel seeks out guidance from America’s most rebellious disability activists in his journey to learn how they built full adult lives — as a road map for himself and others.

“My goal for this film is that people won’t talk down to people with disabilities. I want everyone to know that people with disabilities demand respect and rights,” Samuel said in his acceptance speech. He added “I want other young adults with disabilities to have the same opportunities that I have had for healthcare, inclusive education, college, assistive technology, making friends and independent living”. Dan and Samuel dedicated the award to the late disability rights pioneer, Judy Heumann, who is featured in the film.

“Dan and Samuel’s film has done much to advance the rights of people with disabilities to be fully included in all aspects of community life. WIHD could not be prouder of their accomplishments.” said Susan Fox, President and CEO of WIHD.

“When editors hire journalists with disabilities and accommodate them, it leads to deeper and more sensitive coverage. So I’m especially proud of these short films, and those who made them,” said Adam Ellick, executive director of The New York Times Opinion Video and Op-Docs.