Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Moving docu about life-changing camp has violence, language.
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Why Age 15+?
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Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
What's the Story?
CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION pays homage to Camp Jened, a summer camp in upstate New York where kids with disabilities went to get fresh air—but inhaled a sense of freedom and camaraderie that sustained them and inspired them to change laws that held them back. A progressive philosophy at the camp gave attendees the chance to experience autonomy and freedom. When they returned home to a world unfriendly to people with disabilities—at a time before public school access, wheelchair ramps, and accessible bathrooms—many felt isolated in a society that made no concessions to their physical or mental needs. To some looking back, camp felt like "utopia." Years later, many campers went on to change the world in amazing ways.
Is It Any Good?
This is a moving tribute to the triumph of the human spirit. In Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, fellow campers demonstrate sharp intelligence, humor, and an engaging sense of defiance. One recalls, "even at that young age we knew we were all being sidelined."
Crip Camp co-director Jim LeBrecht, who was born with spina bifida and is a sound designer at the Berkeley Rep theater in Berkeley, California, guides us through the building of a movement that led to sidewalk ramps in every city, wheelchair-accessible movie theaters, and the ability for kids with disabilities to go to public schools—all achieved by the grit, determination, and intelligence of people with disabilities. In the setting of that hippie-run camp, surrounded by others with similar challenges, attendees described feeling less self-conscious and more supportive of one another. It's easy to see how that encouragement set up so many in this group of people to band together to fight discrimination in adulthood.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what lessons we all can learn from Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution and the way a sidelined group of people with disabilities advocated for themselves. What are some issues you feel strongly enough about to demand change?
What character strengths were displayed by the people who forced the government to pay attention to their needs? In what ways did they show courage, perseverance, or teamwork? How are those same qualities useful in everyday life?
How can nondisabled people be good allies to those with disabilities? If you became temporarily or permanently disabled, how would you want to be treated?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 25, 2020
- Directors : James LeBrecht , Nicole Newnham
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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