Al's Story, a film documenting Al Graham's inclusive education journey from Kindergarten to Year 12 at Turramurra High School in NSW, was launched at Family Advocacy's Inclusive Education: Front and Centre Parliamentary Forum at NSW Parliament House on 23 October 2019.
The film was introduced by Penny Graham, Al's mother. "An inclusive education in your local school, sitting along side your peers should be a given for each child. It is now time to make this happen for all students," Penny said. "This film rejects defining education opportunities based on whether a child can swallow, walk up steps, verbally communicate, hold a pen, write an essay or even swim in a carnival. Creativity abounds in Al’s Story."
The film was crafted by Citrine Pictures for Family Advocacy, as part of our "Same Classroom, Same Opportunity" campaign, which seeks to ensure students with disability have a valued place in their local public school. In the same classroom as their non-disabled peers, with the same teacher, with the supports they need so they can have the same opportunity to reach their full potential.
“It has always been paramount for us that Al has a fully inclusive life and a fully inclusive education,” says Penny. “Our story shows that it can be a very positive experience no just for our son but also for his peer group, and his whole community.”
Credits:
Production company: Citrine Pictures
Associate Producer: Penny Graham
Writer/Director: Carolina Totterman
DOP: Joshua Flavell ACS
Camera Assist: Fabio Vita
Editor: Danielle Boesenberg
Sound: Richard Teague
Second Unit Photography: Nathan Yousef
Additional photography: Rodrigo Vidal Dawson
Additional Sound: Martin Cox
