Persons with Disabilities

A collection of stories about persons who have experienced disabilities. Take a look at these inspiring stories, now available in this collection! The collection also contains information related to disabilities, such as an interview with a physical therapist who works with persons who have disabilities, and a conversation with Betsy Byars about her book, Summer of the Swans, which deals with the thoughts and feelings of the mentally disabled.

Michael's Story | Open Line (1983)
Episode 2

Video

The Saint Joseph Institute for the Deaf, founded in 1837, prides itself in its auditory-oral philosophy; teaching its students how to lip read, in order to communicate with people in every day society...
Michael's Story | Open Line (1983)
Episode 1

Video

In this SCETV documentary, Michael Tecklenburg, from Charleston, S.C., is a freshman at the University of South Carolina Honor’s College. He has been working to overcome his adversity, that being...
B. Michael's Progress
Episode 3

Video

Senator Fritz Hollings was good friends with the Tecklenburg family, and took in Michael as an intern. After working for Sen. Hollings, Michael would find himself in Chicago, Illinois, working for the...
B. Michael's Progress
Episode 2

Video

Here at the St. Joseph School for the Deaf, students are not taught sign language. Expectations for students, including Michael during his time, are very high at St. Joseph’s, and instead are taught...
Michael's Story | Open Line (1983)
Episode 4

Video

Doctors and hospitals are now much more aware of early detection for deafness, compared to when Michael was growing up. After graduating from Chaminade Preparatory College, Michael is now enrolled in...
Michael's Story | Open Line (1983)
Episode 3

Video

After being a student at St. Joseph’s Institute For The Deaf for four years, Michael Tecklenburg was taken into the care of the Speer family, while attending Chaminade Preparatory College. It was...
B. Michael's Progress
Episode 1

Video

Michael Tecklenburg is pursuing a career in law and politics. But what makes Michael Tecklenburg stand out is that he is pursuing his education at Columbia University Law School, and his career, while...
Betsy Byars | National Book Month
Betsy Byars | National Book Month
Episode 3

Photo

Betsy Byars is an author of over 60 books for young people. Her book Summer of the Swans won the Newbery medal in 1971, and her works have been translated into nineteen different languages! Betsy and...
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Episode 6

Photo

At 19 months old, Helen Keller suffered an extreme fever that made her sight and hearing impaired. She became a national spokesperson for the physically disabled by writing books, giving speeches, and...