WXXI Move to Include

Nature: The Platypus Guardian • WXXI-TV

Witness the story of Pete Walsh, a Tasmanian man who befriends a platypus he names Zoom.

Nature: The Platypus Guardian airs Wednesday, January 24 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Pete Walsh is a Tasmanian obsessed with one of nature’s least understood creatures, the platypus. An egg-laying, duck-billed, venom-spined, furry-coated underwater mammal, the platypus’ natural environment is in danger from urban development in the capital city of Hobart. With the help of experts, Pete embarks on a mission to rally his community and save the species before it is too late.

During this endeavor, Pete befriends one particular female platypus he names “Zoom.” She lets him into her secretive world, and Pete learns more about the life of this enigmatic species, capturing unique footage of their behavior. Zoom’s behavior sheds light on platypus survival techniques and offers insight into how the species might be protected. Pete will reveal the life of this enigmatic creature, but his time is precious as he manages with his MS diagnosis.

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 22 through January 28, 2024.

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.

Photo: Pete Walsh • Credit: Courtesy of Oliver Berlin / © WildBear Entertainment

Wonders of the World I Can’t See with Chris McCausland

Comedian Chris McCausland, who is blind, travels the globe to explore some of the world’s most iconic, unforgettable world landmarks, but in a new and unique way that discovers things the ordinary traveller might miss.

Wonders of the World I Can’t See airs Sundays, November 10 – December 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

In each episode, reluctant traveller Chris will be joined by a different special celebrity guest as his travelling companion. As well as providing a humorous ‘audio description’ of their surroundings for him, the celebrity companions will do their best to prove to Chris that there’s much more to visiting these places than just what they look like, by engaging their other senses. Will they manage to convince him that it was worth getting off his couch after all?

Episode 1 (Airs 11/10 at 8 p.m.): In Athens, Chris and comedy legend Harry Hill try their hand at Olympic sports and pottery. And can Harry do the Acropolis justice when he describes it to Chris?

Episode 2 (Airs 11/17 at 8 p.m.): In Rome, Chris and Tom Allen train as gladiators and make pasta. And can Tom convey the majesty of the Colosseum to Chris?

Episode 3 (Airs 11/24 at 8 p.m.) : Chris and Guz Khan visit the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, where floating, haggling, camel riding and some unique descriptions from Guz await.

Episode 4 (Airs 11/24 at 9 p.m.): In Canada, Liza Tarbuck and Chris experience Niagara Falls. Chris is especially excited about experiencing a wonder that actually makes a noise.

This series is presented as part of Move to Include™ .

Photo: Chris with comedian Tom Allen • Credit: BBC

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 17 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

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.

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

Photo: Title card • Credit: WXXI

My Ascension • WXXI-TV

Emma sitting cross-legged under a tree, reaching toward the sunlight. A suicide attempt left Emma paralyzed but propelled her on a mission to help others. — A suicide attempt left Emma paralyzed but propelled her on a mission to help others.

A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help other young people find hope and stay alive.

My Ascension airs Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app.

As Emma navigates the challenges of her physical and mental health recovery, she works to shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the in the United States.

Festival of Inclusion • Nazareth University

The Golisano Foundation, Special Olympics, and Best Buddies New York host an interactive day of fun and acceptance for the whole family.

WXXI and its Move to Include™ initiative, a partnership between WXXI and The Golisano Foundation designed to promote inclusion, is pleased to be part of Festival of Inclusion. Enjoy interactive community stations, sports and fitness activities, adaptive equipment demos. Be sure to stop by our table for some interactive fun!

Festival of Inclusion
Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nazareth University l Golisano Training Center
4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
FREE and open to all

Photo: WXXI Kids/Move to Include™ table at the 2023 Festival of Inclusion • Credit: Maria Spinelli

Ice Warriors: U.S. Sled Hockey On-Demand

Follow the U.S. sled hockey team as they prepare for the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. For more than 5 months, ICE WARRIORS followed the U.S. sled hockey team on their road to the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. These remarkable competitors—experienced athletes and rookie players, high school students and military veterans wounded in action—shared one goal: to make history with a repeat gold medal win.

Over the course of ten days in March 2014 in Sochi, Russia, the Paralympics will bring together the world’s top athletes with physical disabilities to represent their countries and compete in the world’s toughest games. Second only to the Olympics themselves, the Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event that redefine what makes a champion. These extraordinary individuals battle in the same stadiums for the gold, silver, and bronze medals, and in the presence of the same flaming torch as the Olympic athletes.

Watch On-Demand

Ice Warriors is part of Move to Include™ , a partnership between WXXI and the Golisano Foundation designed to promote inclusion for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Special programming includes prime-time specials, children’s programs, and news stories.

Ice Warriors is also a part of the VETERANS CONNECTION, an initiative to draw awareness to the issues faced by of veterans.

The Life Autistic On-Demand

Iowans with autism illustrate the nuances of The Life Autistic in this two-hour broadcast documentary. Host Tyler Leech, a member of Iowa’s community of people with autism, guides us through all twelve stories from the original Iowa PBS web series.

Also: Explore the challenges and successes of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and meet people on the spectrum from the very young to the elderly living The Life Autistic. From the Life Autistic Collection

Positive All the Way On-Demand

Learn the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven.

This film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit and simultaneously weaves a tapestry of how Sir Philip Craven the former president of the International Paralympic Committee, guided the world’s largest adaptive sports organization to become a global leader for social change. Positive All the Way tells the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven, who was paralyzed at age 16 but was determined to make an impact in the way the world sees these courageous athletes.

As the film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit, it simultaneously weaves a tapestry of one man’s journey to bring inclusion and opportunity to the world. Reflecting on his tenure as President of the International Paralympic Committee, Sir Philip Craven recounts his life experiences and battles, including the fall which left him paralyzed at the age of 16. It was these obstacles, paired with his values, that shaped the leader and the Paralympic movement he so clearly loves.