'Deaf President Now!' trailblazers, co-directors preview documentary on historic university protests

Apple TV+ describes "Deaf President Now!" as the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard of.

"'Deaf President Now!' is so much a part of my community's history. Coming from a deaf family myself – actually fourth generation – this is a story that is passed down, not so much as an oral history, but sort of hand to hand, generation to generation," said co-director Nyle DiMarco, winner of both "America's Next Top Model" and "Dancing with the Stars." "I remember my mom telling me about it when I was around 7. I knew the story, hearing about it in the community, but when I spent a year at a public school in fifth grade, no one learned about it."

The 100-minute documentary recounts the eight days of historic protests held at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. in 1988 after the school's board of trustees appointed a hearing president over several very qualified Deaf candidates.

The protests were led by the "Gallaudet Four" — Jerry Covell, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Tim Rarus and Greg Hilbok.

"Deaf President Now!" is now streaming on Apple TV+.

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