Crip Camp Curriculum
In this collection of lesson plan, students will learn about media literacy and apply those skills to the media created for the film CRIP CAMP; will explore the concepts of power and justice, and how they relate to disability rights and disability justice; will explore the concepts of power, civil rights, and human rights, and how these concepts relate to disability rights, and then apply those skills to the media created for the film CRIP CAMP; will understand how language is connected to power and ableism; and discuss how the strategic use of power helped the disability rights movement in the US evolve.
Image Description: “Crip Camp Curriculum” in white text on green background
Critical Media Analysis: Autistic characters in children’s media
Summary:
In this lesson, students will look at four different characterizations of autistic children in contemporary media. They will watch excerpts or videos featuring the characters, read about the characters, and study how they were created. They will then fill out an evaluation chart to analyze the different depictions. They will have a group discussion as a class and write a reflective response.
Issues considered will include: character’s role within the show/movie; who was involved in writing/creating the characters; what public response has been; and so on. The lesson will conclude with a group discussion and students will complete a journal-style piece of writing as an exit ticket.
The characters that the students will learn about are:
Julia from the television show Sesame Street;
Pablo from the television show Pablo;
the main character from a Pixar short called Loop;
Carl, from the show Carl the Collector.
Image Description: Upper left quadrant is Julia, a muppet with yellow skin and orange hair. Upper right quadrant shows the main character from Loop, a girl with brown skin and dark hair who is reaching with her hands to touch reeds. Bottom left quadrant shows Pablo, a hand-drawn boy with light skin standing on a green hill with a rainbow behind him. Bottom right quadrant shows Carl, an illustrated raccoon wearing an argyle sweater.
Defiant Lives Disability Rights Lesson
Students will watch “Defiant Lives: The Rise and Triumph of the Disability Rights Movement in the United States, England, and Australia.” It covers important milestones in disability activism, from breaking people out of nursing homes to advocating for equal rights. The discussion topics in the film vary from institutionalization to passing legislation. The film highlights in particular, the vast differences between the medical model of disability and the social model of disability. For 5 days, students will watch a segment of the film and record their own thoughts and then discuss their thoughts with a partner and the full group. The last two days students will work together to create their own plan to address an issue in their own community.
Image description: Defiant Lives poster showing stairs and projected onto the stairs is a pink and black wheelchair and disability activist. Text at the top says Defiant Lives and text at the bottom says the Rise and Triumph of the Disability Rights Movement
Easterseals Short Films Lesson Plan
Students will review the social model of disability and then apply it to 4 short films created for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. “The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers—with and without disabilities—the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms (disabilityfilmchallenge.com).” Students will watch the 4 winning films, and then break into groups to focus on analyzing one film as a group.
PBS Learning Media - Renegades Lessons
Summary:
Renegades is a documentary series from American Masters that showcases the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. These lessons were designed to be used with the videos. They can be used individually or as a unit.
Image Description: “Renegades” in black text “PBS Learning Media” in blue text with the PBS logo. below the text are a series of 5 colorful images from each of the 5 short films. Left to right, Brad Lomax, Celestine Tate Harrington, Daniel K. Inouye, Judy-Lynn Del Ray, and Thomas Wiggins
The Right to be Disabled: Video Discussion Guide
For this lesson, students will watch a video titled “The Right to be Disabled” from the Broadreach Training and Resources webpage. This video details Norman Kunc’s journey from being somebody who wanted to hide his disability, to somebody who realized that he has the right to be disabled and that the world around makes him feel like he was not the way he should have been. This video explores important questions about disability, and civil rights movements in general. Students will watch the video and discuss these topics in think, pair, share series of activities.
Image description: Screenshot of the video “Conversations that Matter: The Right to be Disabled”
Simple Things Count: How can I help?
This two-session lesson engages students in exploring ways to be more inclusive of people with disabilities. Through a series of short, accessible disability voice videos, students will recognize diversity within the disability community and learn practical steps to foster inclusion. Using discussion, reflection, and interactive activities, students will examine their own discomfort, identify attitudinal barriers, and explore how small actions can create more accessible and welcoming environments.
This lesson provides a foundation for students to understand the impact of their actions and equips them with strategies to promote disability inclusion in everyday life.
Image Description: Screenshot of video titled “Simple Things Count” text also includes “Emily Ladau - Disability Rights Activist” with an illustration of Emily seated in her wheelchair
Stella Young TED Talk Lesson Plan
Students will watch Stella Young’s TED Talk where she breaks down society's habit of turning disabled people into ‘inspiration porn’” and process why disabled people are often thought to be inspirational for achieving very ordinary things. This inspiration is actually pity in disguise and they’ll discuss the implications for that idea. Students will reflect on their own perceptions of disability and how it aligns with the thoughts shared in the TED video
Image description: Photo looking up at Stella Young
Tell YOUR Story
This lesson will teach students how to give an oral presentation of a memory in their lives.
Image Description: Black text on blue and white faded background “Tell YOUR Story” pile of books with the top book fanned out