WXXI Move to Include

Deconstructing Ableism: A Community Conversation On-Demand

A panel discussion with Disability Rights Activist Imani Barbarin.

Disability rights activist Imani Barbarin is joined by moderator and disability advocate Jeiri Flores and a panel of local community members to discuss their lived experiences of ableism and address some of the issues raised in Imani’s keynote from a 2023 virtual event hosted by Starbridge.

Watch On-Demand:

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 22 through January 28, 2024.

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: Imani Barbarin l Credit: Maude Ballinger

Roadtrip Nation: Being You On-Demand

Watch the Trailer of Being You above. 1 in 5 individuals in the U.S. struggles with math, writing, focus, and organization—but many people with learning and attention issues feel alone. They don’t have to. Follow three young people with learning and attention issues as they travel the country to seek advice from TV host Howie Mandel, ice sculptor John Rodrigues, and many more who have harnessed their differences for success.

Watch the Full Film

About the Episode: Being You follows the transformative journey of three young people—Stephanie, Noah, and Nicole—as they travel cross-country to find others who, like them, learn differently and have used that difference to build lives doing what they love.

Stephanie, 22, is fresh out of college in San Francisco, a feat people told her she’d never accomplish. Diagnosed with nonverbal processing disorder as a child, she felt isolated from her peers; it wasn’t until college that she realized there are other people like her, and discovered the power of her unique perspective. Eighteen-year-old Noah just graduated from high school in Baltimore, and heads to college next year, where he wants to major in computer science. He’s never been very vocal about his dyslexia and ADHD, and he’s looking for mentors who can help him see that the world beyond high school is big and full of possibilities. Nicole, a 23-year-old from Pittsburgh who loves video games and eSports, has been hard at work in an office job since getting her degree in business, marketing and digital media. She recently quit her 9-to-5 job and wonders whether it’s possible to work in a field that truly interests her.

Diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia, she wants to get past labels and be free to be herself. Along their journey, they meet with diverse individuals living with LAIs, including entertainer Howie Mandel, Eye to Eye co-founder and chief empowerment officer David Flink, and Attention Deficit Disorder Association president Evelyn Polk Green, and discover that these individuals are not only coping, but thriving. Also watch on the PBS App.

Extraordinary Women from Stories from the Stage On-Demand

What does it mean to be extraordinary? Defy the odds and redefine benchmarks of success. Homeless at 19, Natalie builds a career as a pediatric neurosurgeon; Rebecca, one of the “Lost Girls of Sudan,” finds a path to creating positive change; and Lachi fights discrimination as a disability rights advocate. Three storytellers, three interpretations of EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN; hosted by Theresa Okokon.

A Wider World

A trusted source of information for individuals, their families, and loved ones with disabilities.

A Wider World airs Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV.

Inside Our Autistic Minds, Pt. 2 • WXXI-TV

Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.

Inside Our Autistic Minds, a two-part docuseries, concludes Monday, January 29 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Since sharing his own autism diagnosis with the world, naturalist and presenter Chris Packham has been flooded with letters and emails from other autistic people, frustrated that their friends, families and co-workers don’t understand them. By teaming up with top film-makers, graphic designers, animators and musicians, Chris helps a group of autistic people create short films to reveal to their family and friends how they’re truly feeling inside – what’s really going on in their autistic minds.

This program is presented as part of Move to Include™, WXXI and The Golisano Foundation’s national initiative that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion.

Photo: Naturalist and presenter Chris Packham • Credit: BBC

Connections with Evan Dawson • WXXI News • Weekdays 12-2pm

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you!

Connections with Evan Dawson airs weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on WXXI News.

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections, every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Be part of the program with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255), email, Facebook or Twitter.

Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Find out what’s coming up and to listen to past shows.

Photo: Evan Dawson • Provided by WXXI

Gateways Radio • WXXI-Classical • Tuesdays at 8pm

The annual Gateways Music Festival presents a brand new 13-week series of programs highlighting music from its festivals and other musicians of African descent.

Gateways Radio airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on WXXI Classical.

The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra is a 125+ member ensemble of musicians of African descent under the leadership of conductor Anthony Parnther. The Orchestra made its stunning Carnegie Hall debut on April 24, 2022 as the first all-Black orchestra to be presented by the famed venue.

Gateways Radio features exceptional compositions and exquisite performances, celebrating the Gateways Music Festival’s mission of connecting and supporting classical musicians of African descent and serving as a source of inspiration, enlightenment, and engagement for communities—especially communities underrepresented in classical music. Garrett McQueen hosts.

To learn more about the series and the episodes, visit WXXIClassical.org.

A Wider World • WXXI-TV

A trusted source of information for individuals, their families, and loved ones with disabilities.

A Wider World airs Saturday, January 27 at 9:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV.

This series focuses on inspirational tales, stigma busting, cutting edge treatment options and assisting technology, veterans issues, sports, and other stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the abilities of all. In this episode, we learn about the importance of wearing a helmet when participating in winter sports.

This children’s 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 22 through January 28, 2024.