Television series featuring disabled characters and creators. This list highlights authentic casting, disabled writers and showrunners, and shows that center disability experience without relying on harmful tropes.
This list prioritizes shows with authentic casting (disabled actors playing disabled characters) and disabled creators behind the scenes. We note representation quality and flag concerns.
Legend:
✦ 🎭 Switched at Birth (2011-2017) – ABC Family/Freeform. Drama centering two families, one with a Deaf daughter. Features extensive ASL, Deaf actors (Katie Leclerc, Marlee Matlin, Sean Berdy), and storylines about Deaf culture, cochlear implant debates, and Deaf education. Landmark for Deaf representation on mainstream TV.
✦ 🎭 Deaf U (2020) – Netflix. Reality series following Deaf and hard of hearing students at Gallaudet University. All Deaf cast. Explores dating, identity, Deaf culture, and the diversity within Deaf community.
✦ 🎭 🎬 Special (2019-2021) – Netflix. Ryan O'Connell (gay man with cerebral palsy) created, wrote, and stars in this comedy about a gay man with CP navigating life, work, and relationships. Groundbreaking for authentic disabled creator telling own story.
✦ 🎭 Speechless (2016-2019) – ABC. Comedy about family with teenager (Micah Fowler, who has CP) who uses AAC device. Fowler is authentically cast; show consulted disability community. Rare positive portrayal of AAC user as full character.
As of December 2025. Check streaming services for current availability.
🎭 All American (2018-present) – CW. Kayla Smith plays character with limb difference.
🎭 The Good Doctor (2017-present) – ABC. Freddie Highmore as autistic surgeon. [Note: Non-autistic actor; mixed reception from autistic community. Some praise visibility, others critique portrayal.]
🎭 Extraordinary (2023-present) – Hulu. UK comedy where everyone has superpowers except the main character. Features disabled actor Sofia Sheridan (wheelchair user).
🎭 Echo (2024) – Disney+. Marvel series with Alaqua Cox as deaf, amputee Indigenous superhero. Authentically cast.
✦ 🎭 Deaf U (2020) – Netflix. [See Essential Viewing]
🎭 Only Murders in the Building (2021-present) – Hulu. James Caverly (Deaf actor) plays Deaf character Theo in multiple episodes with ASL storylines.
🎭 This Close (2018-2019) – Sundance. Two Deaf best friends navigate Los Angeles. Created by and starring Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman, both Deaf. 🎬
🎭 As We See It (2022) – Amazon Prime. Three autistic roommates. Cast includes autistic actors (Rick Glassman, Albert Rutecki, Sue Ann Pien). Created by Jason Katims.
🎭 Sex Education (2019-2023) – Netflix. George Robinson plays Isaac, wheelchair user and love interest, in later seasons. Robinson is a wheelchair user. 🌍
🎭 Undone (2019-2022) – Amazon Prime. Animated series addressing mental health and possible psychiatric disability through multiverse narrative.
Dopesick (2021) – Hulu. Opioid crisis miniseries addressing chronic pain and addiction.
🎭 Station Eleven (2021-2022) – HBO Max. Features Deaf character (Matilda Lawler) and ASL.
Life Goes On (1989-1993) – ABC. Chris Burke, actor with Down syndrome, starred as Corky. First series with main character with Down syndrome. Groundbreaking for era.
Reasonable Doubts (1991-1993) – NBC. Marlee Matlin as Deaf assistant DA. Early mainstream Deaf representation.
🎭 Facts of Life (1979-1988) – Geri Jewell, actress with cerebral palsy, had recurring role as Cousin Geri. First actor with CP in recurring primetime role.
Joan of Arcadia (2003-2005) – CBS. Featured characters with disabilities; addressed chronic illness.
House (2004-2012) – Fox. Hugh Laurie as doctor with chronic pain, uses cane. [Note: Disability often used as character flaw rather than identity]
Breaking Bad (2008-2013) – AMC. RJ Mitte, actor with CP, plays Walter Jr. who has CP. Authentically cast supporting character.
✦ 🎭 Switched at Birth (2011-2017) – [See Essential Viewing]
✦ 🎭 Speechless (2016-2019) – [See Essential Viewing]
Glee (2009-2015) – Fox. Kevin McHale played wheelchair-using Artie. [Note: Non-disabled actor in wheelchair; criticized. But also: featured Ali Stroker, disabled actress, and Lauren Potter, actress with Down syndrome]
Parenthood (2010-2015) – NBC. Max Braverman, autistic character central to family drama. [Note: Non-autistic actor; but consulted extensively]
The OA (2016-2019) – Netflix. Brit Marling as woman with NDE and possible psychiatric experiences; featured blind character.
✦ 🎭 Deaf U (2020) – [See Essential Viewing]
🎭 Born This Way (2015-2019) – A&E. Reality series following adults with Down syndrome. Cast are real people with Down syndrome living their lives.
🎭 The Employables (2019) – A&E. Autistic and Tourette's adults seeking employment.
Queer Eye (2018-present) – Netflix. Multiple episodes feature disabled participants; also features chronic illness openly.
🎭 Love on the Spectrum (2019-present) – Netflix. Dating show featuring autistic adults. Australian original, US version followed. 🌍
Too Large / My 600-lb Life – TLC. [Note: Controversial. Some see as exploitative; others value visibility of fat disabled experiences]
The Last Leg (2012-present) – UK Channel 4. Comedy talk show hosted by Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Brooker (disabled). 🌍
🎭 Sesame Street – Julia, autistic Muppet introduced 2017. Ameera, character who uses wheelchair (2022). Long history of disability inclusion.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood – Chrissie, character who uses leg braces and crutches.
🎭 Paw Patrol (2023) – Added character who uses wheelchair.
🌍 Pablo (2017-present) – CBeebies (UK). Animated series created by autistic writer, featuring autistic characters voiced by autistic actors. 🎬 🎭 🌍
Blue's Clues & You – Features diverse representation including disability.
🎭 Dino Dana (2017-2020) – Amazon. Saara Chaudry plays Dana; show includes disabled characters and accessibility.
See (2019-2022) – Apple TV+. Post-apocalyptic world where everyone is blind. [Note: Some blind consultants; lead actors sighted]
In the Dark (2019-2022) – CW. Blind protagonist. [Note: Sighted actress playing blind character]
Conan the Barbarian (2024) – Character uses blindness.
Shows that achieved visibility but have significant representation issues.
Atypical (2017-2021) – Netflix. Non-autistic actor in lead; criticized for stereotypes. Later seasons added autistic writers and actors.
The Good Doctor (2017-present) – Non-autistic actor; savant tropes. Popular but mixed community reception.
Glee (2009-2015) – Non-disabled actor in wheelchair. But also featured genuinely disabled actors in other roles.
Me Before You (2016) – Film, but so widely discussed. [Warning: Disability as fate worse than death trope]
House (2004-2012) – Chronic pain portrayed as character flaw, addiction normalized negatively.
Growing industry movement toward authentic casting. Organizations like RespectAbility advocate for disabled actors.
To suggest additions:
This page centers authentic disability representation and disabled creators in television.
Last updated: December 2025