Dialogue on Disability

“Carl the Collector” Community Event • Al Sigl’s Golisano Campus

Join WXXI and Al Sigl for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating “Carl the Collector.”

“Carl the Collector” Community Event at Al Sigl’s Golisano Campus Saturday, January 25 from 1- 3 p.m. at Al Sigl’s Golisano Campus (1000 Elmwood Avenue).

Kids and their grownups will enjoy episodes of “Carl the Collector” plus Carl-inspired activities and games. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested.

A low-sensory quiet room and ASL interpretation will be available at the event. Additional accommodations may be requested during the registration process.

This event is presented as part of our annual Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between the Al Sigl Community of Agencies and WXXI.

Please contact Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, Project Manager for Move to Include, at sabbamonte@wxxi.org with any questions.

2024 Media Access Awards • WXXI-TV

Hosted by comedian and disability activist Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, the Media Access Awards ceremony honors artists and film and television projects that are inclusive of disabled talent in front of and behind the cameras.

2024 Media Access Awards airs Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

The Media Access Awards ceremony took place on October 29, 2024 in Hollywood, CA. The show marks the first fully accessible awards show in history with heartwarming and empowering moments from stars including Michael J. Fox, Selma Blair, Marlee Matlin, and more.

Founded by the late Norman Lear in 1979, the Media Access Awards pioneered the celebration of on-screen representation for the disability community. Television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel will present a special tribute to Lear who passed in December 2023.

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 13-19, 2025

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.

PBS Books featuring Zach OHora, show creator of “Carl the Collector” • Facebook Live

Meet Carl the Collector and his friends with series creator, author, and illustrator Zach OHora.

Carl the Collector | Conversation with Creator Zach OHora on Facebook Live on Wednesday, January 15 at 8 p.m.

Premiering last fall, this new PBS Kids series is the first to center on a neurodiverse character, celebrating the diverse ways kids think and express themselves. Learn more about Carl and all his adventures while celebrating the diverse way kids think and express themselves. This Facebook Live event is presented by WXXI 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 that works to increase representation of people with disabilities by presenting programs that showcase the lives of diverse people. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 22 through January 28, 2024.

A Good Life • WXXI-TV

Life is full of joys and challenges for us all — but the experiences of individuals living with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) is something that not everyone understands or appreciates.

A Good Life airs Friday, January 16 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming on the WXXI and PBS apps

A Good Life, a WXXI production, takes an intimate look into the lives of six adults living with I/DD and their families. The film shares the challenges and opportunities they face, while leading national experts and historians in the field offer insight.

Photo: Title card • Credit: WXXI

Understanding Autism • WXXI-TV

Filmmaker Scott Steindorff learns about autism.

Understanding Autism airs Monday, January 13, 2025 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Understanding Autism follows filmmaker Scott Steindorff as he aims to discover more about his own autism. Speaking to autistic people all across the spectrum, he seeks to reframe the perception of autism by focusing on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment by highlighting the amazing talents and love of neurodiversity.

his 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 13-19, 2025

Photo: Scott Steindorff
Provided by PBS

A Wider World

A trusted source of information for individuals, their families, and loved ones with disabilities.

A Wider World airs Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV.

This series focuses on inspirational tales, stigma busting, cutting edge treatment options and assisting technology, veterans issues, sports, and other stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the abilities of all. In this episode, we learn about the importance of wearing a helmet when participating in winter sports.

Inside Our Autistic Minds, Pt. 2 • WXXI-TV

Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.

Inside Our Autistic Minds, a two-part docuseries, concludes Monday, January 29 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Since sharing his own autism diagnosis with the world, naturalist and presenter Chris Packham has been flooded with letters and emails from other autistic people, frustrated that their friends, families and co-workers don’t understand them. By teaming up with top film-makers, graphic designers, animators and musicians, Chris helps a group of autistic people create short films to reveal to their family and friends how they’re truly feeling inside – what’s really going on in their autistic minds.

This program is presented as part of Move to Include™, WXXI and The Golisano Foundation’s national initiative that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion.

Photo: Naturalist and presenter Chris Packham • Credit: BBC

Connections with Evan Dawson • WXXI News • Weekdays 12-2pm

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you!

Connections with Evan Dawson airs weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on WXXI News.

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections, every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Be part of the program with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255), email, Facebook or Twitter.

Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Find out what’s coming up and to listen to past shows.

Photo: Evan Dawson • Provided by WXXI