According to the most recent edition of the Americans with

Disabilities Act, over 54 million Americans are challenged with some

sort of disability. These disabilities range from mild hearing loss and

diminished eyesight to developmental disabilities, from strokes and

heart disease to quadriplegia. It is estimated at some point in their lives,

over 80% of Americans will have some type of disability. With the

overwhelming odds that the majority of Americans will experience a

disability, there’s a void of information on disability issues. By

bringing these issues to the forefront, our show, A Wider World is

changing that. The show is a weekly 1/2-hour magazine format show. It

airs across the nation on PBS. It runs in two thirteen week cycles,

thirteen weeks of original programming and thirteen reruns. We are

currently entering our fourteenth season. It is hosted by Elizabeth

Kelly, a leader in the non-profit community who has been making a

difference in the lives of others throughout her career.

Our show accomplishes a number of things:

We give hope to people with disabilities by showing that there are

others like themselves who have overcome obstacles and

misconceptions in order to lead normal, fulfilling lives.

We provide information. Information that disabled Americans can

use now. Information that is difficult to find anywhere else; what new

technologies are being used to solve problems, what is happening on

the legislative front, what vacation destinations are accessible, who is

leading the way to make things better for the disabled and the best

innovative products and services.

The time is right for A Wider World. This program makes a difference.