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Documentaries by and about persons with disabilities

Rising Tides, Raising Voices

Indigenous Pacific Islanders with disabilities fight for survival amidst rising sea levels, advocating for inclusive disaster responses and sustainable futures.

Filmmaker: Jody Santos

Photo of Jody Santos.

Jody Santos is the founding executive director and editor-in-chief at the Disability Justice Project.  Read more about Jody Santos

Redefining Justice

Roshani Adhikari recently made history as Nepal's first blind female lawyer. She is committed to making her country's legal system more accessible.

Filmmaker: Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti

Photo of Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti.

Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti is a communications officer at the National Federation of the Deaf, Nepal and president of the Annapurna Deaf Association.   Read more about Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti

Salted Success

DJP Fellow Naufal Asy-Syaddad shares the journey of Faisal, a 28-year-old autistic entrepreneur who produces up to 3,000 salted eggs per month, serving customers across Indonesia.

Filmmaker: Naufal Asy-Syaddad

Photo of Naufal Asy-Syaddad.

Naufal Asy-Syaddad is a disability rights activist with autism and chairperson of Yogasmara Foundation's youth group.  Read more about Naufal Asy-Syaddad

News From the Global Frontlines of Disability Justice

Three fellows with the Disability Justice Project stand behind their cameras in a room. One is blind and one is low vision.

Capturing Vision Through Sound and Touch

Last summer, the DJP trained Indigenous activists with disabilities from the Pacific on the iPhone camera to create a documentary series on disability and climate change. With VoiceOver, the iPhone provides image descriptions for blind and low-vision filmmakers and offers other accessible features. “If you think about it, it doesn’t make sense for a blind person to use a camera,” says DJP filmmaker Ari Hazelman. “The iPhone gives you more avenues to tell your story in a more profound way as a blind person.”

Read more about Capturing Vision Through Sound and Touch

Alliance Ukwishaka, a young Rwandan woman, sits in a wheelchair in front of a banner about inclusive health services.

Work for All

The We Can Work program equips young Rwandans with disabilities to navigate barriers to employment through education, vocational training, and soft skills development. By fostering inclusive workplaces and advocating for policy changes, the program aims to reduce poverty and promote economic independence. Participants like Alliance Ukwishaka are optimistic that the program will enable them to achieve their dreams and showcase their potential. The initiative is part of a larger effort to support 30 million disabled youth across seven African countries.

Read more about Work for All

Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo stands in front of bushes and flowers with a white flower in her hair.

Global Recognition

Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo’s film “Dramatic Waves of Change” has been named a finalist in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. The film, completed during a Disability Justice Project workshop in Samoa, highlights the impact of climate change on people with disabilities in Kiribati. Utumapu-Utailesolo, who is blind, used an iPhone with accessibility features to create the film. “Do not leave people with disabilities behind when [you] plan, implement, and monitor programs regarding climate change and disaster,” she says. Her achievement is a testament to the power of inclusive filmmaking.

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Jean Marie Vianney Mukeshimana, a blind Rwandan man, votes with a Braille ballot.

Advancing Democracy

Rwanda has made significant progress in making its elections more accessible, highlighted by the July 15 general elections where notable accommodations were provided. This was a major step forward in disabled Rwandans’ quest for equal rights and participation. “You cannot imagine how happy I am, for I have voted by myself and privately as others do accessibly,” says Jean Marie Vianney Mukeshimana, who used a Braille voting slate for the first time. “Voting is a deeply emotional and meaningful experience for a person with any disability in Rwanda, reflecting a blend of pride, empowerment, and hope.”

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A photo montage of inaccessible voting places across the US.

Barriers to the Ballot

Despite legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act, barriers at the polls still hinder — and often prevent — people with disabilities from voting. New restrictive laws in some states, such as criminalizing assistance with voting, exacerbate these issues. Advocacy groups continue to fight for improved accessibility and increased voter turnout among disabled individuals, emphasizing the need for multiple voting options to accommodate diverse needs. ““Of course, we want to vote,” says Claire Stanley with the American Council of the Blind, “but if you can’t, you can’t.”

Read more about Barriers to the Ballot

A collage of photos showing inaccessible polling stations.

Democracy Denied

In 2024, a record number of voters worldwide will head to the polls, but many disabled individuals still face significant barriers. In India, inaccessible electronic voting machines and polling stations hinder the ability of disabled voters to cast their ballots independently. Despite legal protections and efforts to improve accessibility, systemic issues continue to prevent many from fully participating in the world’s largest democracy. “All across India, the perception of having made a place accessible,” says Vaishnavi Jayakumar of Disability Rights Alliance, “is to put a decent ramp at the entrance and some form of quasi-accessible toilet.”

Read more about Democracy Denied