Netflix’s “Crip Camp” is taking the world by storm! This film, produced by former President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama, tells the story of how the activists who spearheaded the Disability Rights Movement were inspired by their time at summer camp as teenagers. Much of what these important people with disabilities shared about their memories of camp strongly resonated with me emotionally. For example, when Judy Huemann, an internationally recognized leader of this movement who has Polio, was talking about dating for the first time at camp, it reminded me of my own camp experience. As a person living with Cerebral palsy, I found my life partner at camp. Another relatable moment was when Jim LeBrecht, the co-director who has Spina bifida, was discussing how although he had friends in high school, he didn’t have any friends with disabilities except for at camp. Being mainstreamed into an able-bodied high school, I know what it’s like to be isolated most of the year and to only have a true sense of belonging at camp.

Later in the movie, we witness Judy Huemann and other camp attendees organize the 504 Sit-in. The 504 Sit-in was about trying to advocate for the ratification of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits the exclusion of people with disabilities from anything that is federally funded.  This is an undoubtedly worthwhile cause to protest for. The Black Panthers, a famous Civil rights group, assisted the activists with disabilities by delivering food to them. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice that most of the prominent leaders of the Disability Rights Movement were not people of color. Why? Is it because people of color did not have the opportunity to have their experiences and/or stories be expressed at the sit-in? Alternatively, did the filmmakers of “Crip Camp” simply decide not to include the perspective of people of color as much as the points of view people who are white? Either way, “Crip Camp” is a move in the right direction in including people with disabilities in the media, but it only touches the tip of the iceberg in celebrating true diversity.

https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/490120-how-the-directors-of-netflixs-crip-camp