Equally Different
Montana’s Disability Legacy

Log Line: An exploration of Montana’s innovation in the disability community and how that legacy influences contemporary life in Big Sky Country.

Theme: Montana was an innovator in the disability community, and its legacy continues today.

 

Film Information

In partnership with Community 7 TV, and with funding support from the Greater Montana Foundation and the Billings Community Foundation, the Western Heritage Center is developing a documentary film to explore themes uncovered by the Communities with Disabilities project. The film will be an exploration of Montana’s innovation in the disability community and how that legacy continues to influence life in Big Sky Country. Using the oral histories from Phase 1, research for the exhibitions from Phase 2, and interviews with pertinent story holders across Montana, the film will be a ground-breaking work highlighting Montana’s importance in US Disability History.

 

Project Context

Since 2023, the Western Heritage Center has been working with community partners and a local advisory group to document, collect, and share experiences, histories, perspectives, and even expressions of art from people living with disabilities. With support from Humanities Montana, the Center collected 16 oral histories from 14 Montanans living with disabilities. Paired with in-depth, primary research and involvement from community stakeholders, the Center’s Communities with Disabilities project has grown into a multi-phase strategy to uncover unique and surprising stories from people living with disabilities in Montana.

 

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Collect Oral Histories (with support from Humanities Montana) (2023-2024)

Phase 2: Develop 3 original museum exhibitions sharing the history and ongoing

experiences of Montanans with disabilities (2025)

Phase 3: Produce a documentary film exploring oral history and exhibition  themes (2026-2027)

Phase 4: Create a traveling exhibition to be available to museums, libraries, schools, and other organizations across the state (2026-2028)

 

Sponsors

Generous funding has been provided for this project by the Greater Montana Foundation, the Billings Community Foundation, and Gerstner Adam Law.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the project during Yellowstone Valley Gives.