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Netflix is well known for its groundbreaking original content and while we’re stuck in lockdown, no doubt you’re making the most of your free time. By exploring as much of their content as possible, if you’re looking for something else to watch, might we recommend Crip Camp, their new documentary on disability rights.

Having premiered to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival and having the Obamas as executive producers, you know from the off that this is going to be something very special. What started out as a small, independent documentary film has now been seen by millions and has been educated viewers all about the disability rights movement from the seventies until now.

The premise is fairly simple. It follows a group of teens who are attending summer camp in the 1970s the difference being that all the kids have disabilities. The camp, Camp Jened, is relaxed and fun and is designed to allow kids who felt alienated, out of place or constantly judged have a great time over the summer.  Once camp is over, many of the kids feel empowered and the idea of once again fading into the background leads them to demand political change. From there on, the documentary follows Judy Heumann, a councellor at the camp who goes on to lead a movement for disability rights. We then see her fight to see legislation pass and equality be granted.

It’s a documentary that takes a difficult subject and tackles it with humour, insight and respect. It allows us to meet a group of ambitious, funny, interesting people who want more than they have been allowed by society and given how the response to the Coronavirus has been lacking for those with disabilities, is still sadly poignant and relevant today.

Crip Camp is available on Netflix now.

Have you watched the documentary? What are your thoughts, let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

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