Deej
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Deej
 
 

Inclusion
shouldn't be
a lottery.

Deej

 
“…a giant leap forward in shifting public perception…”
– Ari Ne’eman, Co-Founder, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
“…best film on autism I’ve ever seen.”
– Brent White, Adult Transition Director, Ala Costa Centers
“In 40 years, I have seen nothing to top it…”
– Dr. Anne M. Donnellan, Founder, University of San Diego Autism Institute
“I believe this film will change the world.”
– Stephen A. Kuusisto, Author, Planet of the Blind
“DJ’s words rise up in a powerful, poetic voice…”
– Kirsten Haugen, World Forum Foundation on Early Care and Education
“Deej is breaking new ground, and I am so grateful…”
– Emily Titon, Autistic, Member, Autism Women’s Network
“…a vivid insider’s view of autism…highly recommended.”
– Video Librarian
 
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Watch the Trailer

 

About

Abandoned by his birth parents and presumed incompetent, DJ Savarese (“Deej”) found not only a loving family but also a life in words, which he types on a text-to-voice synthesizer. As he makes his way through high school and dreams of college, he confronts the terrors of his past, society's obstacles to inclusion, and the sometimes paralyzing beauty of his own senses. In his advocacy on behalf of other nonspeaking autistics, he embraces filmmaking and poetry, and discovers what having a voice can truly mean.

In this first-of-its-kind collaboration between a veteran filmmaker and a nonspeaking autistic, Robert Rooy and DJ Savarese share editorial control as they attempt to navigate the challenges of representing autism.  Deej, the result of this often difficult partnership, is a story told largely from the inside, by DJ – not by his parents or autism experts or even the camera. At its core, Deej reflects the sort of participation that disability rights advocates insist upon: “Nothing about us without us.”

In keeping with this philosophy, all of DJ’s words on this website are attributed specifically to him.  Any other text is the creation of Rooy Media LLC.

Meet the Team