Inclusion in Television: 10 Characters with Disabilities in Kid's Shows (Part 2)
Representation matters, yet the presence of disabled characters in media has historically been scarce. As of the 2018-2019 GLAAD Where We Are on TV Report, only 2.1% of primetime broadcast characters were disabled—despite 1 in 5 Americans having a disability. However, we’re thrilled to see representation evolving, with more inclusive characters, including Carl starring in his own show, and the inclusion of ASL viewing on PBS Kids. This list celebrates ten disabled characters in children's TV shows who are more than one-off feel-good appearances. These multi-dimensional regulars enrich their stories and offer meaningful representation for audiences.
1. Carl in Carl the Collector
Carl, an autistic racoon, is the warm-hearted main character in this new PBS Kids series. The show follows Carl and his friends as they navigate everyday adventures, celebrating what makes each of them unique. Carl’s extraordinary attention to detail and creative problem-solving often come into play, aided by his extensive collections of everything from bottle caps to fake mustaches. Through teamwork and exploration, Carl the Collector promotes understanding, friendship, and the beauty of neurodiversity in a fun and engaging way for young viewers.
2. Rex in Paw Patrol
Rex, a Bernese Mountain Dog with a disability that affects his back legs, gets around using a high-tech dog wheelchair. As a resident of the Dino Wilds, he is a dinosaur expert with a knack for communicating with dinosaurs, especially baby dinos, who hold a special place in his heart. Rex’s sweet personality and determination shine through on every Dino Rescue mission—he never lets anything slow him down. Armed with his Dino Claw pup pack and a custom truck outfitted with a ramp and stegosaurus plates, Rex is always ready to spring into action with his signature catchphrase, “Let’s dino do this!”
3. Eddie in Alma’s Way
Eddie Mambo is Alma’s 6-year-old “primo-amigo” (cousin-friend) who has cerebral palsy and uses leg braces and crutches to navigate his daily life. As a kind and patient boy, Eddie brings joy and warmth to his community with his love for music and sports. He’s a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing everything from the drums to the DJ decks, and he’s an avid fan of the City Seagulls baseball team.
Eddie is inspired by real-life individuals in the supervising producer’s life. The team worked closely with medical advisors and a young teenager with the same diagnosis as Eddie to create reference videos for the animators, showcasing movements like climbing stairs, dancing, and running with crutches. Eddie’s animation was then shown to seven children with varying cerebral palsy diagnoses and their families, who provided valuable feedback that was incorporated into the show. These efforts ensure Eddie’s portrayal is both accurate and deeply meaningful, highlighting how thoughtful representation can foster understanding and inclusion.
4. Dougie in Bluey
Dougie is a lovable, deaf cavapoo featured in Bluey, the beloved Australian children's TV series. Using Auslan (Australian Sign Language), Dougie communicates with his friends and family, offering authentic representation of the deaf community. He’s a happy and playful pup who enjoys park adventures with his mum, especially the swings and games with friends like Bingo. Dougie's character fosters awareness about inclusivity and highlights the importance of sign language for kids and families.
5. Toph Beifon in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Toph Beifong is a blind earthbender and fan-favorite character from Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Known as an earthbending prodigy, Toph uses seismic vibrations to locate objects around her, a skill inspired by secret training with badgermoles to learn more advanced earthbending. She is also the first character to master metalbending, a skill previously thought impossible within the series. Despite her parents' initial doubts about her abilities due to her blindness, Toph’s resilience and independence shine through, inspiring viewers and emphasizing empowerment and inclusion. Toph will be played by Miya Cech in the live-action adaptation’s second season.
6. Ice Cub in PJ Masks
Ice Cub, the first disabled character in PJ Masks, debuted in PJ Masks Power Heroes. By day, Ivan uses a wheelchair and crutches. At night, he transforms into Ice Cub, harnessing his intensified upper body strength to navigate on a snowboard. Voiced by Nylan Parthipan, who has muscular dystrophy, Ice Cub’s character is a powerful nod to authentic representation in kids’ media. With catchphrases like "Shuddering Snowflakes!" and "Infinite Icebergs!" and powers including super snowballs and freeze rays, Ice Cub embodies strength, creativity, and resilience. Off the clock, Ivan is a kindhearted, social butterfly with a love for basketball, music, and superheroes, inspiring kids to dream big and embrace who they are.
7. Teo in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Teo, an Earth Kingdom boy with paraplegia, is a kind, spiritual, and inventive character who joins the "ragtag team of friends and allies" in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Known for his love of flying, he soars through the skies with his innovative glider, showcasing his adventurous spirit.
As the first character in the series with a physical disability—and the only one to acquire it later in life (due to a natural disaster)—Teo stands out for his honesty, respectfulness, and occasional playfulness. In one memorable moment, he challenges Aang to a glider competition, leaving a smoke drawing of Aang frowning in the sky.
Lucian-River Chauhan will portray Teo in the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Bonus Characters Worth Knowing About
8. Ameera in Ahlan Simsim
Ameera, an 8-year-old girl with a spinal cord injury, uses a wheelchair or forearm crutches. As part of the Arabic-language Sesame Street series, she is a passionate scientist and basketball fan, inspiring children with her curiosity and resilience. Ameera highlights the importance of representation in global children's programming, showing that disabilities are just one part of a person’s story.
9. Cristina in Elena of Avalor
Cristina, Isabel's best friend in Elena of Avalor, is a young artist who uses a wheelchair and loves dancing. She appeared in four episodes, contributing to the show's inclusive storytelling before it ended in 2020. Elena of Avalor can still be streamed on Disney+.
10. Wilt in Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Wilt, a fan-favorite from Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, was brought to our attention by a thoughtful reader, Charlie, who highlighted his importance as a character with a prosthetic arm and eye. Introduced in the show's pilot, Wilt is a disabled athlete whose backstory reveals he lost his arm and eye during a basketball game. Despite his challenges, Wilt never lets his disability define him, demonstrating resilience and physical capability throughout the series.
Charlie's insight also highlighted how Wilt's selflessness can sometimes make him a pushover, with his low self-esteem occasionally exploited for comedic effect—a point worth reflecting on in terms of representation. Even so, Wilt's kindness, positivity, and athleticism make him a beloved character.
Though Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends no longer airs, you can stream it on Max and revisit Wilt's inspiring journey.
Conclusion
Representation matters, and these characters in children’s television are helping to shape a future where inclusion is the norm. By featuring multi-dimensional characters with disabilities, these shows foster empathy, understanding, and a celebration of differences among young viewers.
Did we miss a character that deserves to be on this list? We’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite inclusive characters in the comments or reach out to us. Together, let’s continue to champion diversity in kids’ TV and beyond.
Meet More Amazing Characters!
Discover even more amazing kids' TV characters breaking barriers and embracing inclusivity in Part 1 of our series. Click below to explore!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are These Characters Important for Kids to See?
These characters show kids that disabilities are just one part of a person’s story. They represent bravery, kindness, humor, and creativity while promoting inclusion and diversity in ways that resonate with young viewers.
How Do Kids’ Shows Handle Disability Awareness and Education?
Many shows present characters with disabilities as integral parts of their communities—friends, family members, and heroes. By doing so, they encourage conversations about inclusion and help kids develop empathy and understanding.
Are There Any Shows Specifically for Children with Disabilities?
Yes! Shows like Signing Time! introduce American Sign Language (ASL) to help deaf and hard-of-hearing kids learn and feel represented. These programs make entertainment more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
How Can Parents and Educators Use These Shows?
These shows are excellent tools for sparking important conversations about respect, empathy, and acceptance. By discussing the characters’ experiences and challenges, parents and educators can help kids understand and appreciate diversity. Representation in mainstream media also helps normalize disabilities, driving awareness and encouraging meaningful discussions that foster a more inclusive and understanding society.
