A celebration of disability in media with Ali Stroker, Marlee Matlin, and Henry Winkler.
2025 Media Access Awards with Easter Seals airs Monday, January 12 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.
Honoring excellence in disability representation, hosted by Tony winner Ali Stroker, with Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, breakout star Marissa Bode (Wicked), and visionary creators Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex), with special appearances by Emmy winner Henry Winkler (Happy Days) and performances by Rick Allen (Def Leppard) Brian King Joseph (AGT) and Lazylegz (Paris Paralympics).
2025 Media Access Awards with Easter Seals repeats Tuesday, January 13 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.
This program is presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 12-18, 2026.
WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.