Campfire stories, tie-dye shirts, and…the seeds of a political movement?
An unforgettable look at how a small, tucked-away summer camp sparked an unstoppable push for equality, changing the lives of millions.
“Crip Camp” will surely rank high on my list of “Best Disability Documentaries” when I get to it. I’ve found about 12 already — I just haven’t written it up!
Trailer for “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution”
Watch “”Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution”
You can watch “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” for free here:
You can also watch it on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 91/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Dates:
- January 23, 2020: Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- February 5, 2020: Featured in the MoMA Documentary Fortnight.
- March 5, 2020: Shown at the True/False Film Festival.
- March 25, 2020: Released for streaming on Netflix and made available in Australia and Brazil
My “Crip Camp” Review
“Crip Camp” takes you inside a summer camp for disabled teens that helped spark a civil rights movement.
The doc opens in 1971 at Camp Jened, a summer camp in the Catskills.
That’s just 14 miles from where my Grandma Josie’s weekend getaway house was. I can totally picture the Camp Jened scene.
It’s a place where teens with disabilities could feel free and equal, something they didn’t experience often in the outside world.
As you watch, you get a sense of how the friendships and experiences formed here shaped a generation of activists. It’s moving, but never preachy.
The film is produced by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, and it’s directed by James LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham.
LeBrecht, born with spina bifida, attended Camp Jened himself. His perspective adds authenticity to the doc. You feel his personal connection to the story.
What’s incredible about “Crip Camp” is how it balances nostalgia with hard-hitting social commentary. The early scenes show a ragtag group of teens hanging out, playing music, and just being themselves.
But soon, the focus shifts to the broader struggle for disability rights in the U.S.
The campers grow up and take on new roles—advocates, protesters, organizers. It’s a powerful transition that’s both inspiring and heartbreaking.
The doc uses archival footage that’s raw and intimate, mixed with present-day interviews with former campers like Judy Heumann, who went on to become a key figure in the disability rights movement.
Heumann’s activism leads to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark law in U.S. history.
From Camp to the Capitol
One of the most dramatic sequences in the film shows the “504 Sit-In” of 1977. Dozens of disabled activists occupied a federal building in San Francisco for nearly a month, demanding the government enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This section was supposed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination, but it wasn’t being enforced.
Judy Heumann and her fellow activists are seen facing down officials and rallying the media. It’s intense. They aren’t just sitting in a building—they’re risking their health and safety for a cause. At one point, Black Panther Party members deliver food to the protesters, forming an unlikely but critical alliance.
This event led directly to the ADA in 1990, but the doc doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. These were hard-fought victories that took decades to win, and you can feel the exhaustion and frustration in the activists’ voices.
The Personal Is Political
“Crip Camp” makes it clear that disability rights are human rights. It shows how systemic ableism—the discrimination against people with disabilities—affects every aspect of life, from education to employment to basic human dignity.
But it also highlights the resilience and creativity of the disability community.
One of the most striking moments comes from LeBrecht himself. He talks about how, growing up, he didn’t see himself as part of any movement. He was just a kid who wanted to be independent. But through Camp Jened, he realized the power of collective action. It’s a revelation that stays with you long after the film ends.
You Can’t Make This $hit Up: The campers’ conversations are refreshingly candid. One scene shows a group of them discussing their frustrations with mainstream society. When asked what they’d do if a building wasn’t accessible, one camper bluntly says they’d just burn it down.
Lesser-Known Highlights
- Camp Jened’s Origins: The camp wasn’t specifically created for activism. It started as a free-spirited place for kids to have fun. But that environment gave way to something more radical.
- The ’60s and ’70s Counterculture: The camp was deeply influenced by the countercultural movements of the time, which embraced equality and rebellion. That spirit infused the campers with a sense of possibility.
- Disability Pride: The doc shows how Camp Jened wasn’t just a place of fun; it was where disabled kids learned to be proud of who they were, something that was revolutionary at the time.
- The Legacy of 504: Although 504 isn’t as well-known as the ADA, it was a critical stepping-stone. The 504 Sit-In, portrayed in the film, was the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in U.S. history.
- James LeBrecht’s Story: As both co-director and subject, LeBrecht offers a deeply personal view. He’s not just telling a story—he’s sharing his life.
Final Thoughts
“Crip Camp” is more than just a history lesson. It’s a reminder of the power of community and activism. The friendships and camaraderie formed at Camp Jened laid the groundwork for one of the most important civil rights movements in American history.
And it all started with a summer camp.
At 106 minutes, the doc moves quickly, but it never feels rushed. The balance of humor, heart, and history keeps you engaged.
There’s no heavy-handed message—just a clear call to see people with disabilities as equals, deserving of the same rights and opportunities as anyone else.
By the time the credits roll, you’re left with a sense of gratitude for the trailblazers who fought for the rights many take for granted today.
Highlights from User Comments
I always like to read what the commenters have to say on YouTube.
Here are some of the top insights:
Gratitude for Disability Rights Activists:
- Many commenters, particularly those with disabilities, expressed profound thanks for the trailblazers featured in the documentary. Their work is credited with shaping a more inclusive world, giving people with disabilities greater access to education, public spaces, and self-esteem.
- For example, @failedartguy (2 years ago) wrote, “Without the work these brave people did, I as an autistic and pretty intense ADHD child probably wouldn’t have been allowed in public school.”
- @josieuwu9636 (2 years ago) mentioned, “I cried upon seeing so many people like me gathered in one place,” underscoring how the film gave her a sense of belonging.
- @flyingblind5677 (1 year ago), a blind man, expressed, “I am in debt to all of those who fought for the rights I have, and should have, today.”
Call for Inclusion of Disability History in Education:
- A major point in several comments is the frustration that the disability rights movement is not taught in schools. Many viewers wished they had learned about these historic struggles earlier in their lives.
- @kyandaila (3 years ago) with an invisible disability said, “I wish things like this were taught in history classes.”
- @nkapow6581 (2 years ago) stressed that this documentary should be “a must-see for middle and high school kids,” noting the importance of understanding how laws like the ADA came to be.
Emotional Response and Empowerment:
- The film triggered strong emotional reactions from viewers, many of whom shared how deeply the documentary moved them. Some described crying multiple times while watching the film, both out of sorrow and inspiration.
- @AnAnonymousPie (1 year ago) stated, “I cried 6 times,” after watching the film for a college class.
- @dylpickled (1 year ago), after Judy Heumann’s passing, reflected on how watching the film left them “longing to find or create an interdependent community like Camp Jened.”
- @sluglife9785 (1 year ago) noted the emotional resonance of the line “You know, people around here feel small enough most of the time,” revealing how the documentary evoked feelings of empathy and personal reflection.
Sense of Community and Representation:
- The documentary was a source of validation and connection for many viewers with disabilities, some of whom had never experienced seeing themselves represented on screen in this way.
- @josieuwu9636 (2 years ago) shared that seeing people like herself in the film made her realize she had longed for “that sense of community I never got to have.”
- @slideshowgurl (1 year ago) said, “As a disabled person, I cried my eyes out at this movie. These people paved the way and fought so hard to make the world an easier place for someone like me.”
Tributes to Judy Heumann:
- The passing of Judy Heumann evoked numerous tributes in the comments, with viewers recognizing her as a hero and expressing immense gratitude for her work.
- @melissahardy1369 (1 year ago) commented simply, “Rest in peace Judy. Thank you for everything you did for us.”
- @keddie28 (1 year ago) echoed this, writing “RIP Judy Heumann. Much love and respect.”
- @dylpickled (1 year ago) added a personal touch, sharing how they had interacted with her later in life and received an award in her name, calling it “an honor.”
Frustration with the Ongoing Struggle:
- Some commenters pointed out that despite the progress made, there is still much work to be done for disability rights, both in the U.S. and globally.
- @lingengwang3916 (3 years ago) acknowledged that “there still have [been] plenty of incidences everywhere across the nation where the law was not enforced or just simply ignored.”
- @r.d.8172 (10 days ago) remarked on how accessibility is still lacking in their country, lamenting that “you rarely see disabled people” because they are likely “stuck in their homes.”
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc