Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

"Access for Every Body"

2025 0h 56m EN

Documentary

Synopsis

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Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act 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.

“Access for Every Body”

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Cast

Peter Dinklage
Narrator

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jim LeBrecht
Writers: Chana Gazit
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 56-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

ERA

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Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jim LeBrecht, shot by Claudia Raschke. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Sandra Christie shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Access for Every Body".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jim LeBrecht directs. Claudia Raschke behind the camera. Sandra Christie cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 56-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released last year.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Jim LeBrecht, shot by Claudia Raschke. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Sandra Christie shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Marketing tagline: "Access for Every Body".