Niagara University Screens Award-Winning Documentary “Being Michelle”

Niagara University's April 7, 2025, screening of the award-winning documentary "Being Michelle" was attended by more than 100 members of the Niagara University community and the general public. The film focused on an incarcerated deaf woman with autism who utilized artwork to navigate her healing journey. A panel discussion followed the screening, which was presented by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Modern and Classical Languages/American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program, and the Department of Communications and Media Studies, in partnership with People Inc., Deaf Access Services.

"This event was brought to my attention by our local Deaf community," said Rachel Violanti, coordinator of ASL/Deaf studies program and faculty fellow. "There is a major communication breakdown between the Deaf/hard of hearing community and law enforcement, which can lead to both parties experiencing confusion. Attendees were able to see the ongoing struggle for equal access for all people. The Deaf experience is not one size fits all, and the movie is a perfect example of this. There are many kinds of accommodations, and each situation needs to be evaluated to find the best fit for that individual. Bringing off-campus presenters to campus helps give our students diverse perspectives into the Deaf experience."

Among the panelists were three individuals who worked on the film's production: Atin Mehra, director/producer/director of photography; Dr. Mei Kennedy, impact advisor; and Dr. Gabriel Lomas, advisor. Pamela Rohring, adjunct professor and ASL specialist at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, was also a featured panelist.

Award-winning filmmaker Mehra has been producing social justice and impact driven films with his wife and filmmaking partner, Mae Thornton Mehra, for over 15 years at Orange Kite Productions. Mehra is a 2022 Firelight Media Impact Campaign Fund Grantee and International Documentary Association Nonfiction Access Initiative Grantee for "Being Michelle," his directorial debut.

Dr. Kennedy has experienced navigating the justice system firsthand while supporting her Deaf father, who was incarcerated for seven and half years in a United States federal prison. She is a third-generation Deaf parent and an advocate of a hearing son with autism. Dr. Kennedy provides strategic consulting services on integrating technology to improve the learning experience for Deaf students and serves on the board of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. and Communication Service for the Deaf.

Dr. Lomas is professor of counseling and director of counseling programs at Gallaudet University. During his career, he has won millions of dollars in federal and state grants to train in integrated healthcare and improve trauma and crisis training. He has done extensive work in the field of forensic evaluation and is a popular expert witness in court cases across the nation. Dr. Lomas has served as the co-editor for the Journal of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, as well as on the editorial boards of numerous journals in counseling and psychology. He is an editor and contributor to "Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System," released in 2021 by Gallaudet Press.

Romolla McDowell, a junior TESOL major with a minor in ASL/Deaf studies, was one of the students who attended the screening. She noted that film helped her understand how important it is for Deaf people to have access to communication.

"The film raised awareness about systemic discrimination and the need for better accessibility," she said. "It offered a powerful perspective on trauma, healing, and the transformative power of art."