Disability on TV

So the world of TV is slowly catching up with the world we all live in and we are beginning to see more and more individuals with disabilities represented for our popular digestion.
Typically we have seen many wheelchair users depicted either people born with a disability (Billy Nugent, Legit) or more often using a wheelchair after sustaining some kind of injury (Logan, Dark Angel; Hodgins, Bones).

As reflected in today's society many shows are adding characters who are on the Autism Spectrum (Gary Bell, Alphas; Sonya Cross, The Bridge; Dr. Virginia Dixon, Grey's Anatomy, Max Braverman, Parenthood). And there are many more characters that while not officially diagnosed have fans speculating on whether they are on the spectrum (Dr. Temperance Brennan, Bones; Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Jeremiah Sacani, Royal Pains, Dr. Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds).

Other disabilities have popped up from time to time as well including
Down's Syndrome (Becky Jackson, Glee; Corky Thatcher, Life Goes On; Tom Bowman, The Secret Life of an American Teenager)
Visual Impairment (Auggie Anderson, Covert Affairs)
Hearing Impairment (Joey Lucas, West Wing; Daphne Vasquez, Switched at Birth).

What is interesting is that we are now seeing more actors with disabilities playing characters with disabilities. More importantly more often the disabilities is not the main focus of the show, these are real people living real lives (Christopher Reeves, Smallville; Katie Leclerc, Switched at Birth; Marlee Matlin, Children of a Lesser God, West Wing, Lauren Potter, Glee; Kerry MacGregor; The Book Group; RJ Mitte, Breaking Bad). These characters are rarely the star of these shows though and are often guest stars or background characters.

Now however ABC are promoting a new show for the Fall which will feature a disabled individual, played by a disabled actor, as a main character in a show.
'Speechless', is a comedy based around parents raising three children one of whom has cerebral palsy is non verbal and using a wheelchair.
The trailers look great and Micah Fowler who plays JJ states, "I am honored to have the opportunity to play the role of a down-to-earth normal teen living with the challenges of cerebral palsy, and I am thrilled to represent the millions of people living with special needs."*
Look out for this show which promises to address the day to day issues associated with living with disability from both the individuals and families perspective.

Check out the clip below:
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/speechless-minnie-driver-stars-new-abc-comedy/
 

*https://themighty.com/2016/04/micah-fowler-actor-with-cerebral-palsy-stars-in-abc-pilot-speechless/
 

Back from the dead (so to speak)

So there have been many changes since that last post so many years ago. The school I was Directing merged with another school then broke away again while I have moved on to a new organization and broadened my work to include students on the spectrum as well as multiply disabled and medically fragile students.
This population is so very different from what I have experienced before and the behaviors I have witnessed over the past 2 years have been extreme and sometimes heartbreaking. I am working along side families and special needs organizations and the lack of resources and the challenges families are facing can seem insurmountable.
I was recently part of a grant funded program that was aimed at students with autism spectrum disorder who were in crisis.  We worked with the students in the home with their caregivers and family and also in the school environment.  We bridged the home/school gap and helped parents and teaching staff to provide supports and interventions to the students. I was devastated when the grant ran out and we were unable to fund the program any longer.  There is no feeling worse than having to turn parents and families in need, away.
Right now I am promoting my current program and also collecting information about resources and supports in the five boroughs that will provide services to a whole range of special needs. My aim is to be able to direct families to at least one organization that can help them if I am unable to.
No parent/caregiver should have to hunt high and low for services, they should have easy access to information and support. My goal is to provide as much of that as possible.