Please join us for this year’s Disability ReFramed panel discussion,
Celebrating Our Childhood on TV, during which we’ll spotlight the recently launched
American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) Special Collection: Representing Children with Disabilities on Public Television, which illustrates how public media has consistently led the way in improving accessibility, representation, and inclusive storytelling. Our panelists, disability rights activist and author
Emily Ladau and violinist
Adrian Anantawan, will share how their lives were impacted by seeing themselves represented onscreen during their formative years. The conversation will be moderated by
Claire Houston of the
National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) at GBH, whose research into disability-focused public programs led to the creation of the AAPB Special Collection.
Public media has always told the stories that speak to all viewers in the most accessible way. The GBH show “ZOOM” was the first open-captioned children’s television show and — funded by the Department of Education — featured disabled “ZOOMguests” to support the transition of disabled students into mainstream schools. Other shows like “Feeling Free” created a place just for disabled children, while still others — including “Sesame Street,” “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” and “Arthur” — featured disabled actors, guests, or characters. For an entire generation, these were memorable television firsts.
Plus, view behind-the-scenes items from the Special Collection . . .Before the discussion, join us in the GBH Atrium for a light reception and view select items from the
new special collection, highlighting public media’s long‑standing work to amplify the experiences of children with disabilities — many in shows produced right here at GBH! A joint project of the AAPB, MLA, NCAM, and the Media Access Group, this collection reflects a shared commitment to accessibility across GBH.
Do you have a memory or impact story to share for possible inclusion in our event? We want to hear from you!DM us to share your story or
fill out this brief form.
Disability ReFramed is a GBH annual conversation that imagines what the future could be.
This event is presented with support from our sponsors: Learn Behavior BCI Centers, PNC Bank,
and Vinfen.
Accessibility: This event will be captioned using CART, and will have American Sign Language interpreters (ASL). Both will be available for live and virtual audiences. If you would like to request an additional accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please email
Accessibility@WGBH.org or call Audience and Member Services at
617-300-3300 (M-F, 9am-5pm) in advance of your visit. Please note that we will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.
GBH is accessible via public transportation, with
travel details available on our website.
