Inclusion in Television: 6 Characters with Disabilities in Kid's Shows (Part 1)

Culture
Written By Rachel Portell

Representation is important, and while 1 in 5 Americans have a disability, only 2.1% of regular primetime broadcast characters have a disability (2018-2019 GLAAD Where We Are on TV Report). That is why we are shining a light on the television shows that are leading the charge in inclusion. Below is a list of six characters with disabilities in children's television shows who aren't one-episode, one-off feel-good additions; they are multi-dimensional regulars who bring a lot of character to their respective shows.

1. Julia in Sesame Street

Julia, the autistic yellow muppet with orange hair and green eyes, sits at a table in a pink dress, holding a stuffed animal with art supplies, radiating creativity and inclusivity

Julia, a 4-year-old muppet with autism, was introduced digitally in 2015 and appeared in her first episode in 2017. Julia is part of Sesame Workshop's larger autism awareness initiative called Sesame Street & Autism - See Amazing In All Children. You can find their free resources designed to serve kids, caregivers, and providers here: https://autism.sesamestreet.org/

Julia is performed by puppeteer Stacy Gordon who has a child on the Autism Spectrum and was created with consultative input from Julia Bascom, executive director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and other autism organizations.

Julia appears in the following Sesame Street episodes:

  • Season 47: 15, 34

  • Season 48: 01, 06, 07, 21

  • Season 49: 03, 11, 21

  • Season 50: 04, 21, 29

  • Season 51: 01, 22

Meet Julia here

2. Chrissie in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Chrissie, with fair skin and dark brown hair in a ponytail, wears a pink headband with turquoise flowers, an aqua-green dress and pink shoes. Leg braces and forearm crutches support her mobility

Chrissie is Prince Wednesday's cousin who uses crutches and leg braces to help her walk. She is based on Chrissy Thompson from Mister Roger's Neighborhood who had spina bifida, which she discussed openly.

"Help kids to appreciate the similarities and differences among their peers with Daniel Tiger. Even though Daniel's friend Chrissie needs braces to help her walk, she doesn't need help with everything. In fact, she likes to be a helper, too - just like Daniel!" - PBS

Chrissie appears in the following Daniel Tiger episodes:

  • 131a - Daniel's New Friend, 131b - Same and Different, 133 - Snowflake Day!, 139b - Empathy at School

  • 215b - Daniel's Neighbors Help, 220a - Daniel and Margaret Visit the Farm

  • 301b - Teacher Harriet's New Hairdo, 308b - Prince Wednesday's Happy Birthday, 313a - Daniel's Bicycle, 316 - King Daniel For the Day, 324a - Circle Time Squabble

  • 401b - Daniel's Royal Good Time, 402b - Daniel's Toy, 417a - Daniel's Tiger Twirl

Meet Chrissie here

3. Max in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Max, an autistic boy with brown skin and black hair, plays with Daniel Tiger on the floor at school. He wears a blue shirt with a bus motif, and they two are playing with blocks and buses.

Max, the newest friend in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, is Teacher Harriet's autistic nephew. He is voiced by Israel Thomas-Bruce, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. Once production began with Israel in the acting booth, the team decided to shift away from capturing a combination of common autistic traits and instead focused on a realistic depiction of Israel's personality.

Dr. Wes Dotson, The Autism Society of America, and Jessica Rosh, a woman on the autism spectrum, were all consulted for the project. Max was introduced this April for Autism Awareness month and will be included in episodes going forward.

Meet Max here

4. Dave and Pickles in Madagascar: A Little Wild

A male and a female chimpanzee are standing in a zoo enclosure. Dave is standing in the front with his arms folded wearing a green leopard print diaper. Pickles stands behind him with arms folded, a blue bow in her hair and a blue patterned diaper.

Dave and Pickles are Chimpanzee siblings that joined the Madagascar crew in the Central Park Zoo. Dave is deaf, and he and his sister communicate using American Sing Language (ASL).

The show got input from Delbert Whetter, a Deaf filmmaker, Jevon Whetter, a Deaf actor, film producer and ASL dialogue coach, and Justin Maurer, an ASL interpreter who is a child of deaf adults. You can find Dave and Pickles in every episode since they were introduced.

Meet Dave and Pickles here

5. Marian Locks in Goldie & Bear

A woman with brown hair, brown eyes, purple overalls, and a pink neckerchief is sitting in a gold tractor speaking with Goldie Locks who has blonde hair, a big pink bow, and a blue dress. They are in the countryside.

Marian Locks is Goldie Locks' mother and a businesswoman who travels the world. She uses a customized wheelchair and makes her first appearance in season 2 episode 1.

6. Mandy Mouse in Peppa Pig

A cartoon mouse with a pink dress and black shoes sitting in a purple wheelchair with two large wheels and two small wheels

Mandy Mouse, the newest member of the playgroup on Peppa Pig, was introduced in April of 2019 and is now a series regular. The show consulted with UK disability equality charity Scope on her character and "deliberately kept the nature of Mandy’s disability vague, so that she could represent children with different disabilities.”

Meet Mandy here

Did we miss one of your favorite characters? Let us know in the comments below!

Rachel Portell
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