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Disability Justice Project Fellows Harness iPhone Technology to Spotlight Climate Crisis in the Pacific
September 11, 2024
Last year, the Disability Justice Project (DJP) trained Indigenous activists with disabilities from the Pacific on the iPhone camera to create a documentary series on disability and climate change. With VoiceOver, the iPhone provides image descriptions for blind and low-vision filmmakers and feedback on whether a subject is in focus. “If you think about it, it doesn’t make sense for a blind person to use a camera,” says DJP filmmaker Ari Hazelman. “The iPhone gives you more avenues to tell your story in a more profound way as a blind person.”
The Pacific region is among the most impacted in the world by climate change. Among its low-lying islands, there is no escape from the rising sea and no refuge from extreme weather events. Pacific activists are pushing for more inclusive warning systems for weather emergencies and more accessible evacuation centers. They want to be considered and involved in the creation of disaster mitigation and response plans. Indigenous Pacific Islanders with disabilities are also leading the way in sustainable land management and climate adaptation, offering valuable insights that can benefit us all.
Choose the viewing experience most accessible for you:
Original Version
American Sign Language
Fijian Sign Language
Audio Descriptions
Open Captions
Descriptive Transcript
Original Version
American Sign Language
Fijian Sign Language
Audio Descriptions
Open Captions
Descriptive Transcript
Click here for a link to a descriptive transcript.
Credits:
Director & Producer: Jody Santos
Producers: Ari Hazelman | Sa Utailesolo | Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo
Videographers: Ari Hazelman | Des LaFave | Isoa Nabainivalu | Ruby Nabetari
Sophia Paffenroth | Sa Utailesolo | Melvina Voua
Editor: Des LaFave
Sound Mixing: Billy Wirasnik
Colorist: Justin Poirier
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