WXXI and Al Sigl Center join forces for the sixth year to present Dialogue on Disability: The Herman & Margaret Schwartz Community Series, a week-long programming initiative designed to stimulate community dialogue about the perspectives and abilities of people with disabilities. Beginning Monday, January 14, 2008, WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11) and AM1370/FM-HD 91.5-2 will broadcast special programming that delves into the lives of people with disabilities.

The centerpiece of the week is the premiere of two national television productions. You’re Not Alone, airing Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11), follows a multicultural group of families facing the relentless challenges of raising special needs children. The Teachings of Jon, airing Thursday, January 17 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11), is an insightful and humorous documentary by Jennifer Owensby about her brother Jon, a 40-year-old man affected by Down syndrome. Need to Know, WXXI’s signature news and public affairs program, will also present a special Dialogue on Disability segment on Friday, January 18 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11).

Bob Smith, host of 1370 Connection heard on AM 1370 and FM-HD 91.5-2 weekdays from 12 noon to 2 p.m., invites Brian Klafehn from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Rochester in studio on Tuesday, January 15 at 12 noon to speak about adaptive living for those with handicaps. On Wednesday, January 16 at 12 noon, Smith is joined by a panel of representatives from the Epilepsy Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Association of Rochester and the Hearing and Speech Center to discuss programs and services available for children. Finally, Smith speaks with representatives from The Arc of Monroe County on services for adults with developmental disabilities on Thursday, January 17 at 1 p.m. On Friday, January 18 at 12 noon on AM 1370/FM-HD 91.5-2, Healthy Fridays with Elissa Orlando, will also focus on disability issues.

In addition, WXXI radio will broadcast two national productions. The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal, airing Saturday, January 19 at 3 p.m. on AM 1370/FM-HD 91.5-2, is based on Jonathan Mooney’s book of the same name. Many kids with learning disabilities are medicated and segregated during schooling. Some are forced to ride the “short bus.” A short bus rider himself, Mooney recently bought a short bus and took it on a 35,000-mile journey across the US to seek out kids who shared this experience. Musical Abilities, airing Saturday, January 19 at 3:30 p.m. on AM 1370/FM-HD 91.5-2, features interviews with singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, who explain how they adapted new techniques and relearned how to play music after accidents left them with a disability.

WXXI-TV 21 (cable 11) will also broadcast a variety of children’s programs that deal with disability issues. These include:

• Arthur: Prunella Sees the Light airs Mon., Jan. 14 at 7:30 a.m. and Tues., Jan. 15 at 4 p.m.
• Sesame Street: Big Bird, Snuffy and Friends Hike airs Tues., Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.
• Caillou: Getting the Message airs Tues., Jan. 15 at 12:30 p.m.
• Reading Rainbow: Silent Lotus airs Wed., Jan. 16 at 6 a.m.
• Sesame Street: Bob's Deaf Niece Visits Sesame Street airs Wed., Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.
• Maya & Miguel: Give Me a Little Sign airs Wed., Jan. 16 at 4:30 p.m.

WXXI is pleased to extend its Dialogue on Disability programming initiative by airing additional shows outside the Dialogue on Disability week. These shows included: Today’s Man (1/8 at 10 p.m.), an Independent Lens film by Lizzie Gottlieb who searches to understand her brother’s strange and extraordinary life after he’s diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Independent Lens’ Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita (1/15 at 10 p.m.) brings the stem cell debate to the forefront and examines the constantly evolving interplay between the promise of new discoveries, the controversy of modern science and the courage of people living with devastating disease and injury. In Rolling, (1/27 at 7 p.m.) three individuals in wheelchairs are asked to record their day-to-day experiences.

Al Sigl Center is a resource organization that provides shared and dedicated facilities, business services, and enhanced awareness and financial support for a partnership of independent human service agencies, to help them achieve their goals and foster the goals of people with disabilities whom they serve. Dialogue on Disability is made possible thanks to support from the Fred L. Emerson Foundation. To learn more, visit wxxi.org/dod.

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WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.

Al Sigl Center is a unique community partnership of eight caring agencies-each operating independently in program services, budget and staff-but passionately working together to improve the lives of over 70,000 kids and grownups with disabilities in the Greater Rochester area. The other agencies are; The Arc of Monroe County, CP Rochester, Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton, Mary Cariola Children's Center, Medical Motor Service, National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Upstate New York Chapter, Rochester Hearing & Speech Center and Rochester Rehabilitation Center.