DREDF and the Center for Independent Living (CIL) invite you to a special screening and discussion of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act on April 1 at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, CA. Register Now →
On March 25, 2025, from American Experience, Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act aired on PBS. It tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances, and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were once the subject of a pitched battle that landed on the steps of Congress. Told through the voices of key participants and witnesses, the film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to achieve their goal and change the lives of all Americans. A story of courage and perseverance, the film brings to life one of the great civil rights movements in American history, where ordinary people made their voices heard and Congress responded. A testament to the power of coalition building and bipartisan compromise, the passage of the ADA is a shining example of democracy in action.
Former DREDF board member and co-director of Crip Camp, Jim LeBrecht directed the documentary. The documentary includes DREDF staff and board members past and present, including Mary Lou Breslin, Lawrence Carter-Long, Judy Heumann, Arlene Mayerson, and Pat Wright. Thank you, PBS!
Go to an extended audio-described version →
Go to a version with on-screen ASL interpretation →
PBS did uplift the story of DREDF, its role in the passage of the ADA, and longtime activist and leader Anita Cameron. However, we also acknowledge and recognize that many people who were involved were not included in the documentary, including many disability advocates and allies from communities of color and with other marginalized identities. We know it took a village and want to help amplify and honor everyone involved. For those who want to learn more about the history of the ADA and the diverse group of people that aided in its passage, check out these resources:
- Timeline of the Americans with Disabilities Act | ADA National Network
- Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act | National Council on Disability
- NCD Honors the Life and Legacy of Major Owens | National Council on Disability
- ADA Legacy Project Moments in Disability History 22: Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities
- Burgdorf on Disability Rights | ADAchronicles.org
- ADA Anniversary Event: On the Threshold of Independence | National Council on Disability
- A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States: ADA Amendments Act of 2008 | Vernon E. Jordan Law Library, Howard University School of Law
Do you know of an additional resource or have an ADA story we should highlight? Please email us at media@dredf.org.