Library to Host Early Screening of Ladd School Documentary

The Joseph Ladd Center in Rhode Island has a dark history, much like the treatment and attitudes towards people with developmental disabilities.

The ruins of the facility in Exeter are a stark reminder of how its former residents, many who are living full lives today, were relegated to distant and lonely places.

Best Judgement: Ladd School Lessons is unique and important look at the legacy of the institution. Important because as a culture, we must constantly reexamine our attitudes, approach and ideas towards other people. And unique because it tells the story and history of the Ladd Center through the eyes of its former residents.

On Saturday, the Central Library in Cranston will host a screening of selected clips of the work in progress and host a discussion with members of the production team. The event is sponsored by the Rhode Island Council on the Humanities.

According to a release, the film is "an anchor point in exploring and challenging past and present attitudes toward people identified as having developmental disabilities."

The film is still in production and money is being raised to complete it. The goal is to raise $50,000.

A detailed description of how the project got started and who is involved is available at the film's fundraising page.