Member News

Dialogue on Disability Runs January 13-19, 2025

Rochester, New York (January 7, 2025) – Dialogue on Disability: The Herman & Margaret Schwartz Community Series, hosted by Al Sigl Community of Agencies and WXXI Public Media, kicks off Monday, January 13. The annual week-long initiative presents special programs and events designed to encourage community dialogue around the perspectives and abilities of people with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. Since 2003, WXXI and Al Sigl have worked together to help challenge stereotypes about individuals with disabilities.

Special programming & events:

PBS Kids Programming 

The week of January 13 on WXXI-TV
WXXI-TV will air special PBS Kids programs with disability representation including Carl the Collector (weekdays at 8:30 a.m.), Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (1/13, 1/15-17 and 1/19 at 9 a.m.), Elinor Wonders Why (1/14 at 12 p.m.).

Connections with Evan Dawson
Monday, January 13, Wednesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 16* at 1 p.m.
on WXXI News (FM 105.9 and WXXInews.org)
Throughout the week, Evan Dawson will host several conversations with guests who provide expert and personal insights about policies, programs, and community issues related to disabilities. *Dates subject to change. Visit WXXInews.org for confirmation.

Classical Musician & Composer Vignettes
The week of January 13, times vary on WXXI Classical
Now in its second year, WXXI Classical presents vignettes that highlight musicians and composers with differing abilities on the air and online at WXXIClassical.org.

PBS Books featuring Carl the Collector creator Zach OHora
Wednesday, January 15 at 8 p.m. on Facebook Live @WXXIRochester
Meet Carl the Collector and his friends with series creator, author, and illustrator Zach OHora. 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.

Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan “Judy Woodruff”
Friday, January 17 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff reflects on her perspectives on the changing American political landscape and raising a child with spina bifida.

2024 Media Access Awards
Friday, January 17 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Hosted by comedian and disability activist Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, the annual awards ceremony honors artists and film and television projects that are inclusive of disabled talent in front of and behind the cameras. The show marks the first fully accessible awards.

Travels with Darley “Empire State Trail”
Saturday, January 18 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-CREATE
Darley travels along New York's Empire State Trail, which stretches from New York City to the Canadian Border, and makes a stop at Letchworth State Park Autism Nature Trail and features Rochester Accessible Adventures.

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

Join WXXI and Al Sigl for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating Carl the Collector. 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 required. Visit WXXI.org/events.

American Masters: Renegades
Watch on-demand on WXXI.org
This series of five 12-minute short films showcases the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities, exploring not only their impact on and contributions to U.S. society but also the concept of disability culture, which honors the uniqueness of disability. Each episode is available captioned, open captioned with on-screen American Sign Language (ASL), an extended audio description, and large open captions.

Dialogue on Disability is a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. The initiative is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation.

To learn more about the initiative and for a complete list of all the programming, visit wxxi.org/dod.

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Al Sigl Community of Agencies is a collaborative community network that provides high-quality, cost-effective real estate and business services, while fostering community awareness and philanthropic support to a growing array of nonprofits that serve children and adults with special needs.

WXXI is the essential, life-long educational public media resource that engages, inspires and strengthens our community. WXXI also operates the iconic Little Theatre and CITY Magazine. Visit www.wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.