RENEGADES

Breaking Barriers, Making History—Untold Stories of Disabled Americans

The Project

RENEGADES is an anthology of five 12-minute short films showcasing the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities, exploring not only their impact on and contributions to U.S. society, but also the concept of disability culture, which honors the uniqueness of disability. Hosted and narrated by the musician and disability rights advocate Lachi, who is blind, and created and produced by a team of disabled filmmakers, the series is designed to increase public knowledge of disability history, and encourage cross-cultural understanding between non-disabled people and those with disabilities – who make up 1 in 4 adults in America today. 

Infused with the spirit of the disability movement’s mantra, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” RENEGADES places a focus on authentic storytelling, with a cast and crew composed almost entirely of disabled people, and a talent incubator model of filmmaking to mentor emerging directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, and editors with disabilities.

 Each episode is available with audio description, on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions, extended audio description and large open captions, and descriptive transcripts.

Donate

Our mission is to convey a vibrant and experiential understanding of disability history, and to encourage exploration of societal and interpersonal values as they relate to both non-disabled people and those with disabilities. If you are interested in supporting us, click the button below to explore donation options. If you’d like to reach out about grant or sponsorship opportunities, please email RenegadesPress@gmail.com.

Photo of two people, an Asian American man and a Black woman, sitting at a cafe table talking as two professional cameras on tripods film them.
A collage featuring Celestine Tate Harrington, a Black woman, kissing her baby in the center. Various background images depict the same people at different stages and activities, overlaid on a textured blue and gray backdrop with text excerpts.
An artwork featuring Judy-Lynn del Rey, a white woman in a red dress holding a notebook and bag while standing on an orange, rocky terrain with space and a ringed planet in the background.

Contact us.

Email us at RenegadesPress@gmail.com.

Meet our team

  • Photo of a smiling Arab-American woman, eyes closed, with dark hair and brown jacket being kissed under her chin by a yellow labrador retriever guide dog.

    Day Al-Mohamed

  • Profile photo of white middle-aged woman wearing brown hair in a bun, with hearing aid visible.

    Amanda Upson

  • Headshot of smiling white woman with brown hair, brown glasses, and a blue short-sleeved shirt, standing in front of a brick wall with green and yellow graffiti.

    Charlotte Mangin

  • Black woman, braids piled high on her head, with pink shirt and intense pink eyeshadow, gazes into the distance. Her chin and cheek rest gently against her hand and muted gold jewelry glimmers from her necklace, bracelet and large earrings.

    Lachi

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