Nyle DiMarco, Deaf activist and actor known for America’s Next Top Model, will partner with Concordia Studios to bring Deaf President Now! to Netflix. The documentary series is based on true events that occurred at Gallaudet University, the nation’s premier higher education institution for deaf and hard of hearing students, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The inspiration for the series came from John B. Christiansen and Sharon N. Barnartt’s nonfiction book Deaf President Now! The 1988 Revolution at Gallaudet University. The project will be set during the week in 1988 that Gallaudet’s board of trustees chose a hearing candidate to serve as the university president. The candidate was chosen over several equally qualified deaf candidates which led to eight days of rallies, boycotts and protests. This week became known as “The Week of DPN.” The end of the Deaf President Week Now resulted in the resignation of the hearing candidate; Dr. I. King Jordan was then named the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, via The Hollywood Reporter.
As a Gallaudet alum, DiMarco will executive produce alongside Concordia co-founder Jonathan King (Roma). Patrick Callan of Concordia will oversee the studio development. Roberta J. Cordano, current president of Gallaudet, has granted use of the university name and will also consult on the series.
From DiMarco on the importance of the documentary: “Learning about the Deaf President Now movement as a young Deaf boy, I was in awe of how Deaf people like me were able to make such a powerful impact on the world. It was, and still is, such a monumental event in the history of Deaf people and the disability community, helping pave the way towards the Americans with Disabilities Act and more,” via The Hollywood Reporter.
There is not currently information on when the documentary series will arrive to Netflix.