Is the Deaf President Now! based on a true story? Here's what we know

A new documentary, "Deaf President Now!" on Apple TV+, explores the time when deaf students of Gallaudet University, Washington D.C., took a brave stand for themselves and demanded a leader with whom they could resonate.

Gallaudet University has existed since 1864 and is the only university globally created specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. But here's the issue: even after 124 years, Gallaudet has never had a Deaf president.

This is what Deaf President Now! dives into. So does that mean it's based on a real story? Yes, the documentary follows the exact events from March 1988, when the deaf students and community members began to protest.

This movement was led by four students, popularly known as the "Gallaudet Four," including Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Jerry Covell, Greg Hlibok, and Tim Rarus. Interestingly, all four figures appear in the documentary as they share their experience and efforts to achieve what they deserve.

As seen in Deaf President Now!, the students had four major demands, including the resignation of then-president Elisabeth Zinser, as she was a woman who could hear. The protest quickly gained national media attention, and people across the country began talking about the importance of representation and leadership by the Deaf community.

Keep reading to learn more about this documentary and how the events unfolded.

Deaf President Now! documentary brings the 1988 protest to life

The students in 1988 (Image Source: Apple TV+ Press)

The documentary Deaf President Now! takes viewers deep into a historic moment that changed the course of Deaf civil rights in America. It tells the story of a groundbreaking protest at Gallaudet University in 1988, a school created specifically for deaf students.

The protest began when the university’s board appointed a hearing person, Elisabeth Zinser, as its new president, overlooking highly qualified Deaf candidates. The decision sparked outrage on campus and led to an intense eight-day protest led by students who felt ignored and misrepresented.

As seen in Deaf President Now!, Greg Hlibok expresses:

"We wanted to scream out. But how do you scream out in our language?"

Since the students couldn't shout like a normal person would do, they "pulled fire alarms," made everyone aware, and even locked the university's entrance. Their protest soon became a national movement about equality, Deaf identity, and the right to self-govern.

The students made bold demands, stood united, and refused to back down until they saw real change. Deaf President Now! not only captures this protest but also gives a powerful inside look at the people, culture, and politics that shaped the fight.

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A historic victory and powerful storytelling in Deaf President Now!

The hearing president resigned (Image Source: Apple TV+ Press)

As previously mentioned, the Gallaudet Four and all other students demanded that Zinser resign from the president's chair. Not only this, they also demanded that the board chair, Jane Bassett Spilman also step down and that Deaf individuals be given more representation on the board.

To make this an effective and powerful movement, the students used rallies, visual signs, class boycotts, and strong unity to spread their message. They also challenged the belief that deaf people cannot lead.

Ultimately, the protest was successful. As shown in Deaf President Now!, Zinser stepped down in a few days, and Dr. I. King Jordan was appointed as the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University. It was a symbolic and real victory for Deaf self-representation.

The documentary captures this incredible journey using real interviews, archival videos, and personal stories from the students and leaders involved. What makes it especially impactful is how it’s told through a Deaf lens.

Deaf President Now! co-creator Nyle DiMarco talks about his journey

Nyle DiMarco (Image Source: Apple TV+ Press)

Another interesting fact about Deaf President Now! is that the movie comes directly from the co-creators, Davis Guggenheim and Nyle DiMarco. While Guggenheim is hearing, DiMarco is known for being an incredibly successful individual despite his hearing disability.

During an interview with GLAAD, DiMarco said:

"I am very lucky that I come from a deaf family. I remember when I was 7 years old, my mom recounting the story of Deaf President Now..."

He continued to speak about the documentary, saying:

"I would hope that this would re-energize our community and really remind audiences of the power of collective action... We wanted this project to be deaf led. We wanted to pay homage to the theme of Gallaudet University..."

DiMarco explained that the story belongs to the Deaf community, and he wanted to make sure it was told with respect, honesty, and true understanding. Deaf President Now! isn’t just about one protest; it’s about a lasting fight for equality and pride in deaf identity.