About the push for greater and greater rights for the disabled.

This documentary is about the history of the Americans With Disablities Act...and is very interesting BUT seriously lacking the whole story. On the one hand, it does a great job of interviewing disabled advocates and their shaming politicians to vote for the ADA. On the other, "Change, Not Charity" is an installment of "American Experience" which I have very mixed feelings about...probably since I have family members who are disabled and I have a different view of the ADA than many others. This documentary seems to say that after the ADA was passed in 1990 things became much better, this isn't necessarily the case for many folks struggling with physical and psychological hurdles. It does in the final credits admit some of the serious shortcomings of the ADA, but it's a lot worse...as the Americans With Disabilities Act had no teeth to guarantee enforcement. Imagine...a lawy that does nothing to ensure it will be applied. For example, if a disabled person is discriminated about today, they must sue to get these rights recognized. Sounds easy? No...as finding a lawyer to take on such cases is nearly impossible because there are no civil penalties for violating a disabled person's life. So, lawyers cannot collect fees for their services...so very, very few actually handle disability rights cases...A HUGE problem with ADA. And, sadly, in recent months some in government have sought to roll back ADA. And, I have no idea why this wasn't addressed in this film...and so it seems to only tell part of the story.

The biography, or "biopic", is a genre that portrays the life story of a real person, often a notable individual or historical figure. They aim to provide a depiction of the subject's personal history, achievements, challenges, and impact on society.

Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to pass the legislation that changed the lives of all Americans.

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act (2025)

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I. King Jordan in Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act (2025)

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

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