This short film is an extended look at some of the themes explored in American Masters – Becoming Helen Keller, and hopes to provide an updated representation of modern DeafBlind role models today. Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor and media critic, skilled fencer and hiker, and published author who has written for Marvel Comics. She is a Hugo Award and Aurora Award winner.
Renegades: Kitty O’Neil: On-Demand
In this new digital series, musician and disability inclusion advocate Lachi explores the cultural contributions of people with disabilities and how they transformed America. This pilot episode investigates the amazing life and accomplishments of deaf stunt legend and speed racer Kitty O’Neil.
Kitty O’Neil (1946-2018) was a racecar driver, stunt legend, and daredevil. Known as “the fastest woman in the world,” O’Neil broke the land speed record in 1976, clocking an average of over 512 mph in a three-wheeled rocket car across Oregon’s Alvord Desert. The first woman to join with Stunts Unlimited, the leading stunt agency in Hollywood, O’Neil was also a stunt double for the iconic stars of both The Bionic Woman (Lindsay Wagner) and Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter). And she did it all while being deaf.
(Open Captioned) Watch ASL-Audio Described Here
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution On-Demand
In the early 1970s, teenagers with disabilities faced a future shaped by isolation, discrimination and institutionalization. Camp Jened, a ramshackle camp “for the handicapped” (a term no longer used) in the Catskills, exploded those confines. Jened was their freewheeling Utopia, a place with summertime sports, smoking and make-out sessions awaiting everyone, and campers experienced liberation and full inclusion as human beings. Their bonds endured as many migrated West to Berkeley, California — a hotbed of activism where friends from Camp Jened realized that disruption, civil disobedience, and political participation could change the future for millions.
Crip Camp is the story of one group of people and captures one moment in time. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other equally important stories from the Disability Rights Movement that have not yet received adequate attention. The filmmakers are committed to using the film’s platform to amplify additional narratives in the disability rights and disability justice communities – with a particular emphasis on stories surrounding people of color and other intersectionally marginalized communities. We stand by the creed of nothing about us, without us. For too long, too many were excluded, and it is time to broaden the number of voices and share the mic.
Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March On-Demand
Explore the fight against Asian American hate following the March 2021 mass shootings at three spas in Atlanta. Examine how this critical moment of racial reckoning sheds light on the struggles, triumphs and achievements of AAPI communities. The film is narrated by Sandra Oh with music by Jon Batiste and Cory Wong.
Expires: 10/16/27
Girl Talk On-Demand
Watch the Full Playlist Above. From LOCAL USA. Set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, GIRL TALK tells the compelling story of five girls on the diverse, top-ranked Massachusetts team at Newton South. Often talked over, underrepresented and judged differently than their male counterparts, each girl learns to navigate gender biases, reminding us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for. Available through 2/28/30
Also watch on the WXXI PBS Player
Dreaming Life: POV Shorts On-Demand
Louise Hay creates a space for healing as the AIDS epidemic takes hold in “Another Hayride”; a 19-year-old nonbinary trans boy is caught between his family’s expectations and his dreams of living life happily ever after in “To the Future, With Love.”. Or on WXXI’s PBS Player.
Stories of self acceptance and finding joy.
Prideland On-Demand
Actor Dyllón Burnside hosts Prideland, which opens a window into the world of modern-day LGBTQ+ life in America. Watch the 6-part series at the Playlist Above. Or on WXXI’s PBS Player.
Prideland is a short-form digital series following host and actor Dyllón Burnside (from FX’s “Pose”) on a journey across the South. The six-episode short-form series launched on PBS Voices, a documentary-focused YouTube Channel by PBS Digital Studios
Produced by Tiny Horse, the series highlights authentic personal stories brought to life through Burnside’s curious, exploratory lens. As an LGBTQ+ advocate, he guides viewers into the South’s various LGBTQ+ communities, connecting with people of different backgrounds, locations, experiences and points of view.
“Being a queer boy raised in the South, I had distinct memories of feeling like I could never be my authentic-self there, so I left seeking acceptance and affirming communities. But I never left my southern roots,” Burnside said. “I wanted to go back as an adult and see if things had changed, and I’m proud to report that they have. Although there are still many challenges for queer folks in the south, which is home to more LGBTQ+ adults than anywhere else in the U.S., I’m in awe of everyone I met who are creating change in their communities. I believe that authenticity is a superpower, and these queer heroes and allies are truly inspirational.”
Prideland addresses how and why attitudes towards the community have changed, the ongoing challenges still faced by LGBTQ+ people, as well as stories of celebration and the vital role of allies. In their own voices, members of these communities answer questions that help to create real understanding of who they are and what it means to be their authentic selves in the places they call home.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Workplaces On-Demand
Only 17% of LGBTQ+ employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being. 21% think that their companies would do the right thing if challenged about an LGBTQ+ issue. Should companies invest in LGBTQ+-affirming workplaces? Doni discusses this matter with LGBTQ+ Affirming and Subject Matter specialist, Sheena Barnes. 10/13/23 episode of TO THE POINT WITH DONI MILLER