I AM disABLEd

FEATURE FILM | DOCUMENTARY / INCLUSION AND UNDERSTANDING / KIDS / FAMILY | 80 MINUTES

Now airing and streaming on PBS!

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Don’t miss this chance to watch, share,
and spark conversations about inclusion, ability, and possibility

Poster for Fresh Films I am disABLEd Documentary

“To tell the truth… it impacted my life in a way I didn’t expect.”

Maddie, artist

I AM disABLEd seeks to ignite conversations about inclusion and about what it means to destigmatize disabilities.

“A masterpiece of humanity and a feel-good movie”

“The perfect family viewing event!”

Official Selection SXSW-EDU film festival 2025

Now Airing and Streaming on PBS via American Public Television

Autism. ADHD. Bipolar disorder. Down Syndrome. These are diagnoses, not definitions. I Am disABLEd challenges viewers to look beyond the label and see the full humanity, creativity, and capability of young people navigating the world with disabilities.

“A person is a person, no matter how small.” That iconic phrase captures the heart of this powerful documentary which follows the journey of nine youth with disabilities as they stage the musical Seussical. As these young artists take center stage, the spotlight shines on their abilities and similarities to all of us.

I Am disABLEd invites all audiences—the small and the tall—to discover what’s truly possible when we lead with empathy, celebrate individuality, and redefine what it means to belong.

THE STARS

The 9 artists featured in the film are:
Sarah Coughlin, Halea Damm, Grant Polzin, Alyssa Quinones, Hannah Rath, Deane Thomas, Maddie Wright, Abigail Ziolkowski, and Elizabeth Ziolkowski.

THE FILMMAKERS

14 youth filmmakers worked on the production as part of their Fresh Films production experience. The crew filmed the documentary over 12 months meeting with the artists and their families.

THE PARTNERS

I AM disABLED was created in partnership with The Penguin Project, a national theatre program that engages youth with disabilities. Learn more at penguinproject.org

Funding of the documentary was made possible thanks to support from Augustana College, John Deere Foundation, Humanities Iowa, Illinois Humanities, Quad City Arts, Regional Development Authority, Doris & Victor Day Foundation, Rauch Family Foundation, Rock Island Community Foundation, Quad Cities Community Foundation, Roy E. Murray Foundation Fund, Bechtel Trusts, Bettendorf Rotary, The Oliger Family and Jaycees of the Quad Cities.