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American Experience

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

Season 37 Episode 2 | 53m 00s

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. A story of courage and perseverance, 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. From AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

Aired: 03/24/25 | Expires: 11/05/25
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Extras
Watch • 0:30
Antiques Roadshow
Preview: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 3
Preview: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 3
Preview: S30 E9 | 0:30
Watch • 3:20
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1965 Roy Lichtenstein "Shipboard Girl" Offset Lithograph
Appraisal: 1965 Roy Lichtenstein "Shipboard Girl" Offset Lithograph
Clip: S30 E9 | 3:20
Watch • 2:23
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Egyptian 26th Dynasty Faience Ushabti Figure
Appraisal: Egyptian 26th Dynasty Faience Ushabti Figure
Clip: S30 E9 | 2:23
Watch • 2:05
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Tiffany & Co. Needle Lace Fan, ca. 1885
Appraisal: Tiffany & Co. Needle Lace Fan, ca. 1885
Clip: S30 E9 | 2:05
Watch • 2:36
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Croft Stock Ale Cone-top Beer Cans, ca. 1940
Appraisal: Croft Stock Ale Cone-top Beer Cans, ca. 1940
Clip: S30 E9 | 2:36
Watch • 2:50
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Japanese Bronze Lantern, ca. 1909
Appraisal: Japanese Bronze Lantern, ca. 1909
Clip: S30 E9 | 2:50
Watch • 2:48
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1888 Celia Thaxter Painted Pitcher
Appraisal: 1888 Celia Thaxter Painted Pitcher
Clip: S30 E9 | 2:48
Watch • 1:24
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Shell Cameo Brooch, ca. 1945
Appraisal: Shell Cameo Brooch, ca. 1945
Clip: S30 E9 | 1:24
Watch • 1:17
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1933 Notre Dame Four Horsemen-signed Program
Appraisal: 1933 Notre Dame Four Horsemen-signed Program
Clip: S30 E9 | 1:17
Watch • 1:04
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Civil War US Navy Officer Sword
Appraisal: Civil War US Navy Officer Sword
Clip: S30 E9 | 1:04
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • American Experience Season 37
  • American Experience Season 36
  • American Experience Season 35
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  • American Experience Season 7
  • American Experience Season 6
  • American Experience Season 4
  • American Experience Season 3
Watch • 1:22:36
American Experience
Bombshell
Bombshell explores how the US manipulated the narrative about the toll of the WWII atomic bombings.
Episode: S37 E8 | 1:22:36
Watch • 1:22:42
American Experience
Part 2 | Kissinger | American Experience
Discover how Kissinger’s anti-Communism would shape U.S. foreign policy, from Vietnam to the USSR.
Episode: S37 E7 | 1:22:42
Watch • 1:22:49
American Experience
Part 1 | Kissinger | American Experience
The life of the brilliant foreign policy powerbroker who shaped the world in which we live.
Episode: S37 E6 | 1:22:49
Watch • 1:21:16
American Experience
Hard Hat Riot
The violent 1970 clash between student protestors and construction workers in downtown NY.
Episode: S37 E5 | 1:21:16
Watch • 2:16:40
American Experience
The Presidents: FDR (Part 2)
Part of the award-winning The Presidents collection.
Episode: S7 E2 | 2:16:40
Watch • 52:39
American Experience
Clearing the Air: The War on Smog
The story of L.A.’s noxious smog problem and the creation of the EPA and Clean Air Act.
Episode: S37 E4 | 52:39
Watch • 52:20
American Experience
Mr. Polaroid
The story of Edwin Land, whose iconic Polaroid camera let everyone instantly chronicle their lives.
Episode: S37 E3 | 52:20
Watch • 1:52:47
American Experience
Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP
The story of one of the most influential yet forgotten civil rights figures, Walter White.
Episode: S37 E1 | 1:52:47
Watch • 1:51:27
American Experience
American Coup: Wilmington 1898
The little-known story of the deadly 1898 race massacre and coup d’etat in Wilmington, NC.
Episode: S36 E7 | 1:51:27
Watch • 52:36
American Experience
The American Vice President
A look at the US vice presidency, from constitutional afterthought to position of political import.
Episode: S36 E6 | 52:36