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American Experience

How one carrot peeler revolutionized design | The Curb Cut Effect

Season 37 Episode 2 | 6m 18s

Did you know that many of the household products we use every day were originally designed by or for people with disabilities? Take OXO's Good Grips vegetable peeler, for example, designed by Sam and Betsey Farber so that Betsey, who had arthritis, could cook without pain.

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Extras
Watch • 1:45
American Experience
Trailer | Mr. Polaroid
The story of Edwin Land, whose iconic Polaroid camera let everyone instantly chronicle their lives.
Preview: S37 E3 | 1:45
Watch • 2:24
American Experience
Trailer | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:24
Watch • 2:23
American Experience
Trailer | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:23
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 2:50
American Experience
Trailer | Extended Audio Description | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
EXTENDED AD The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:50
Watch • 11:31
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Extended Audio Description | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
EXTENDED AUDIO DESCRIPTION A preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 11:31
Watch • 53:02
American Experience
Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [ASL]
The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Special: 53:02
Watch • 3:29
American Experience
This 8-year-old girl changed history with one huge climb
Meet the protesters who climbed their way into history—and changed how all Americans live.
Clip: S37 E2 | 3:29
Watch • 8:09
American Experience
They Took Sledgehammers to Sidewalks – Here’s Why | Extended Audio Description | The Curb Cut Effect
EAD Curb cuts—those small ramps at the edge of sidewalks—were not always a given.
Clip: S37 E2 | 8:09