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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Grades: 6 7 8

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

Episode 3

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 1

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this first segment on Civil War piano music, Dr. David B. Thompson briefly discusses the life of African American composer Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins, and plays one of his works.

Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope

Episode 6

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...

Patti Just: Confidence | Character Minutes

Video

Grades: 3 4 5

It was very hard to deal with, when people wouldn't hire Patti because of her disability. But she had confidence in herself and knew she could do the job, and kept looking for someone who would give...

Physical Therapist | Kids Work!

Video

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2 3 4 5

What is a Physical Therapist? Physical therapists treat patients who are disabled due to surgery, injury or disease. They create rehabilitative programs for the patients to help improve mobility...

Marathoner | Original SC

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Whether you can or you cant you are right. Thats the quote that Rachel Weeks has recited over and again to conquer a myriad of marathons such as the 2013 Texas Ironman and the 2014 Boston Marathon. In...