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American Experience “Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disability Act” • WXXI-TV

Tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. 

American Experience “Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disability Act” airs Wednesday, January 14 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances, and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were once the subject of a pitched battle that landed on the steps of Congress. Told through the voices of key participants and witnesses, the film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to achieve their goal and change the lives of all Americans. A story of courage and perseverance, the film brings to life one of the great civil rights movements in American history, where ordinary people made their voices heard and Congress responded. A testament to the power of coalition building and bipartisan compromise, the passage of the ADA is a shining example of democracy in action. 

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 12-18, 2026. 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: ADAPT (American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit) activists protest for accessible public transportation in Los Angeles, CA. • Credit: Tom Olin

2025 Media Access Awards with Easter Seals • WXXI-TV

A celebration of disability in media with Ali Stroker, Marlee Matlin, and Henry Winkler.

2025 Media Access Awards with Easter Seals airs Monday, January 12 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Honoring excellence in disability representation, hosted by Tony winner Ali Stroker, with Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, breakout star Marissa Bode (Wicked), and visionary creators Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex), with special appearances by Emmy winner Henry Winkler (Happy Days) and performances by Rick Allen (Def Leppard) Brian King Joseph (AGT) and Lazylegz (Paris Paralympics).

2025 Media Access Awards with Easter Seals repeats Tuesday, January 13 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

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 12-18, 2026.

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.

Season’s Greetings Live PBS KIDS Holidays Stream!

☃️🎄 ❄️ Happy Holidays! Grab your hot cocoa and take a sleigh ride over to watch this Winter livestream full of special holiday episodes from your favorite PBS KIDS shows! Celebrate the holiday season with Alma’s Way in “Snow Day in the Bronx” and “Alma’s Nochebuena/Three King’s Day Do-Over,” to spread warm wishes with your family and loved ones, just like Alma! Have a Claus-itively merry and bright day with Rosie’s Rules’ “Christmas in Mexico,” and learn all about her cozy family traditions. Plus, join Arthur, Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat, and more in their holiday shenanigans. YULE love it! Trust me, it’s SNOW joke!

Educator Webinar: Visualize History with Student-Created Documentaries

Description

History documentaries transform research into powerful films that bring the past to life and help make sense of complex topics. To coincide with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, join National History Day and PBS member station KQED, and PBS LearningMedia to explore how student-created history documentaries can help your students share their voice, knowledge, skills, and creativity.

When: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:00-9:00 PM EST Virtual Training via Webinar

Register

What you’ll do:

  • Explore ready-to-use curriculum using National History Day’s 2026 theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History and the Revolutionary Era as a case study
  • Practice video pre-production strategies
  • Start a sample mini-documentary you can use as a model with students

What you’ll get:

  • National History Day’s documentary projects
  • Modifiable curriculum and resources in English and Spanish for PBS LearningMedia’s The American Revolution Youth Media Challenge (hosted by KQED)
  • No-cost access to web-based video tools
  • A copy of the presentation deck to modify and use with students
  • A PDF letter of attendance–verifying 2 hours of attendance–to submit to your district or administration for approval towards professional development credit. (Requirements for professional development credits vary, so check with your district and/or state.)
  • Ongoing facilitator support for technical and classroom implementation questions, as needed

Designed by educators for educators, KQED’s well-paced workshops provide ready-to-use resources, instructional strategies, and genuine interaction with experienced and dynamic facilitators.

Speakers

  • KQED Education
  • National History Day
  • PBS LearningMedia

KQED is a nonprofit, public media station and NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco. As a leader in media innovation, KQED provides free standards-aligned classroom content and professional development that educators can trust. Our workshops and courses help educators in all roles, subjects and grades strengthen their media literacy skills, empower youth voices, and encourage civil discourse. Learn more at kqed.org/education.

National History Day®, a world leader in history and civics education, is a nonprofit education organization improving the teaching and learning of history. NHD reaches more than half a million students and tens of thousands of teachers each year via its international student history contest and its wide range of teacher professional development programs, curriculum tools, and other educational activities.

PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and GBH, is an online destination that offers free access to thousands of resources from PBS stations and partners. These digital tools are designed to complement classroom instruction — from videos, images, and interactives to lesson plans, articles, and primary sources. Available for free to all educators PreK through 12th grade, PBS LearningMedia offers classroom-ready content aligned to state and national standards, compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom, and contextualized with supporting materials. Learn more at pbslearningmedia.org.

Questions about the event? Email education@kqed.org

One Year at WXXI — Thank you, Rochester • A message from WXXI President & CEO Chris Hastings

When I arrived a year ago, I said our work would be about Bringing Us Together as neighbors, as makers, and as a community that believes in the power of public media. I meant it then, and I feel it even more today. 

This year has been one of learning and listening. I moved my life here and you welcomed me fully in schools and theaters, churches and coffee shops, boardrooms and living rooms, at The Little and on the air. You shared what WXXI means to you and what you hope for next, and I’ve carried every one of those conversations with me. 

We also faced a challenge none of us expected: the sudden loss of federal funding. Together, we rolled up our sleeves and launched the Close the Gap campaign. And by October, because of thousands of gifts large and small, we did it. I’ll never forget the donor who made a transformational gift to honor both me and my predecessor — and then told me she liked my sneakers. I’ve kept that story close because it captures the spirit of this community: generous, joyful, and rooted in real relationships. 

To our members, donors, foundation partners, sponsors, board, staff, and volunteers — thank you. You believed in WXXI when it mattered most. You reminded us that public media belongs to the public. The fight to save public media is not over but you gave us the time to re-imagine how we serve during these times of change and we are thankful for your sustaining support!  

As we head into the holiday break, I hope each of you has a moment to rest, to take pride in what we’ve accomplished together, and to feel the power of community that makes Rochester so special. 

I am grateful to be here. I am grateful to serve you. And I am excited for what’s ahead — together. 

Sincerely,

Chris Hastings 
President & CEO, WXXI Public Media 

P.S. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our daily news podcast. It’s a powerful way to stay connected to the work you make possible. Click here to listen and subscribe.

Rick Steves Art of Europe: Michelangelo to Monet • WXXI-TV

Join Rick Steves for the greatest-hits party celebrating Europe’s art and creative geniuses, from Leonardo to Van Gogh. 

Rick Steves Art of Europe: Michelangelo to Monet airs Friday, November 28 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the PBS and WXXI apps.

Across the two-hour special, Rick traces Florence’s bold “rebirth” after Europe’s medieval struggles; marvels at the over-the-top churches, palaces, fountains and canvases of the Baroque period; and examines the pioneering Impressionist works that captured the joie de vivre of the late 1800s.

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