WXXI Move to Include

When you’re faced with an incurable, debilitating and progressive disease, you have a choice to make. How do you live your life?

Jeffrey’s Journey airs Tuesday, January 13 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

When faced with an incurable, debilitating and progressive disease, you have a choice to make. How do you live your life? When Jeffrey McElfresh was a child, his feet and hands were gradually losing function. At age 41, he finally learned the name of his malady: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a rare peripheral neuropathy that disrupts signals from the brain, causing muscles in the feet and hands to atrophy. Today, Jeffrey’s disability is apparent, yet he has adapted and built a meaningful life that eventually led him to become an adventure cyclist. Jeffrey’s Journey follows his story over 10 days as he cycles along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. As he follows the river through old steel towns, beautiful valleys and forgotten burgs, Jeffrey gains insight into the land he’s traveling across and even more about himself.

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: Jeffrey McElfresh rides through the industrial area along the Ohio River
Credit: Provided by APT

This heartwarming program sheds light on the incredible bond between guide dogs and their owners, highlighting the vital role these dogs play in the lives of those with visual impairments.

The Secret World of Guide Dogs With Martin Clunes airs Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app.

This film accompanies Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) after he adopts Laura, a retired black Labrador guide dog. Exploring the history of guide dogs, from the first four trained in 1931 to the current process used at Britain’s best-loved charity, this film follows all the ups and downs of the serious and challenging responsibility of preparing each dog for this daunting role.

Photo: Martin Clunes with Jaina Mistry and four guide dogs surrounding them.
Credit: American Public Television.

The James Beard Award-winning film “Marcella” takes an intimate look at the life and career of beloved Italian cookbook writer, Marcella Hazan.

American Masters: Marcella premiering Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Discover how she shaped Italian cuisine in America in this American Masters film.

Marcella Hazan’s story symbolizes the American dream, arriving in New York City having never cooked and challenged by a disabled right arm, Hazan inspired millions of home cooks with the glories of Italian cuisine with her bestselling cookbook The Classic Italian Cook Book: The Art of Italian Cooking and the Italian Art of Eating. In addition to her cookbooks, Hazan connected with food lovers through her popular New York cooking classes, her friendship with fellow cooking legend Julia Child, and many on-air cooking demonstrations.

American Masters – Marcella is presented as part of Move to Include^TM, WXXI and The Golisano Foundation’s award-winning national initiative to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.

In anticipation of the premiere of Caregiving, Connections with Evan Dawson looks at the state of caregiving locally.

Connections: State of Caregiving in our Community re-airs Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the PBS app.

In this special edition of “Connections” with a live audience and taped for television, host Evan Dawson discuss the Medical Aid in Dying Act and other legislation that can affect the disability community with his panelist. How often are people with disabilities — and caregivers — brought into the discussion? What are the risks of legislating without that input, whether it’s Medical Aid in Dying or other proposals? Who should be helping guide policy?

Then, Evan is joined by a panel to talk about caregiving for people with dementia. For caregivers, that can mean myriad challenges: providing the right kind of support; understanding disease progression; financial difficulties; and more. We discuss what the experts say, and we hear from a local caregiver.

About the Caregiving documentary, which re-airs Saturday, June 28 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
From Executive Producer Bradley Cooper, this is the story of paid and unpaid caregivers navigating the challenges and joys of this deeply meaningful work. Intertwining intimate personal stories with the untold history of caregiving, the documentary reveals the state and the stakes of care in America today. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance.

In anticipation of the premiere of Caregiving, Connections with Evan Dawson looks at the state of caregiving locally.

Connections: State of Caregiving in our Community airs Tuesday, June 24 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the PBS app.

In this special edition of “Connections” with a live audience and taped for television, host Evan Dawson discuss the Medical Aid in Dying Act and other legislation that can affect the disability community with his panelist. How often are people with disabilities — and caregivers — brought into the discussion? What are the risks of legislating without that input, whether it’s Medical Aid in Dying or other proposals? Who should be helping guide policy?

Then, Evan is joined by a panel to talk about caregiving for people with dementia. For caregivers, that can mean myriad challenges: providing the right kind of support; understanding disease progression; financial difficulties; and more. We discuss what the experts say, and we hear from a local caregiver.

This broadcast is an edited version of the two-hour talk show.

About the Caregiving documentary, which premieres Tuesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
From Executive Producer Bradley Cooper, this is the story of paid and unpaid caregivers navigating the challenges and joys of this deeply meaningful work. Intertwining intimate personal stories with the untold history of caregiving, the documentary reveals the state and the stakes of care in America today. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance.

Samuel Habib is a typical 21-year-old, itching to move out, start a career, and find love. But no one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a disability.

POV “The Ride Ahead” airs Monday, July 21 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Meet Samuel Habib. His goals are pretty typical for a 21-year-old. Moving out of his family’s New Hampshire home. College. Establishing his career. Dating. Sex. 

Yet every rite of passage is fraught with challenges. Unexpected seizures and uncontrollable movements caused by his rare genetic disorder. Friends’ homes that are inaccessible to his wheelchair. His labored speech and use of a communication device are barriers to a social life. He craves more independence and a family of his own one day. “But no one tells you how to be an adult,” he says, “let alone an adult with a disability.” 

Samuel is determined to avoid the statistical realities: unemployment, isolation, institutionalization. 

A turning point comes when he starts talking to disabled adults, who have been through all he is going through now. And when he begins to channel their insights, a roadmap for himself, and for other young adults like him, begins to take shape.

This program is presented by  Move to Include^TM, an award-winning national initiative to promote disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media.