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MOVIES AND TV SHOWS FOR KIDS

10 Movies and TV Shows For Kids

About Disabilities, Accessibility and Inclusion

Physical limitations can make life more challenging, but these tv shows and movies show characters with disabilities finding ways to live the lives they want.

Stories about characters with physical difficulties can help build understanding, compassion, and tolerance among viewers who don’t face those challenges — as well as give those who do a chance to see relatable people on screen. Families will learn a lot about courage, compassion, and perseverance as they watch and discuss these inspiring stories.

To get you started, we have compiled the following list of 10 movies and tv shows about disability, accessibility and inclusion.

Movies Rated G

Finding Nemo

(2003)

Though this classic Disney/Pixar film is an obvious choice, many people forget that Finding Nemo’s endearing protagonist has a physical disability — a stunted fin that challenges his mobility — because it is handled so matter-of-factly.

The story draws much more attention to Marlin’s PTSD/anxiety disorder, Dory’s memory loss, the sharks’ addiction and the aquarium gramma’s OCD; it’s easy to be flippant, but it seems like every character in Finding Nemo is dealing with some issue — which is kind of the point. In Nemo’s world, being different is normal.

Finding Dory

(2016)

Dory is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species.

Meet Julia – Sesame Street

(TV Show)

Meet Julia, an old buddy of Elmo’s. Julia has autism and she and Elmo share an amazing friendship.

Movies Rated PG

Pick Of The Litter

(2018)

Five Labrador puppies embark on a 20-month training to pass the milestones on their journey to becoming guide dogs for people with visual impairment. Documentary.

Wonder

(2017)

Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie Pullman becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

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Ian, a moving story

(2018)

Ian was born with cerebral palsy. All he wants is to make friends, although it seems impossible to achieve when discrimination and bullying keep him away from his beloved playground. However, this young boy is determined and won’t give up easily. The emotional animated short film shares a story about a boy with a disability called IAN. Ian’s mother created IAN foundation to fight against the lack of information and knowledge that often lead people with disabilities to be bullied and isolated. The short Ian rises from the need and goal of this foundation to reach every home with an inclusion message.

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The Healing Powers of Dude

(2020 – TV Series)

When an 11-year old boy with social anxiety disorder starts middle school, he finds strength in a scruffy emotional support dog named Dude.

A Mile In His Shoes

(2012)

Based on the book “The Legend of Mickey Tussler”, this family-friendly film follows the story of eighteen-year-old Mickey Tussler, who lives on a farm with his father and mother and who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. But he can throw apples at an amazing speed. When a chance meeting occurs with the baseball manager of the semi-pro team the River Rats, from Clayton, Ohio, Mickey gets a chance to pitch for the team and to prove to his father he can do more than live hidden away on the family farm, taking care of his pig Oscar.

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Life, Animated

(2016)

inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films.