The Deep Dive: Helping Everyone See and Hear Stories

Black and white image of a man in a wheelchair crossing the finish line at the Boston Marathon — Bob Hall winning the 1977 Boston Marathon wheelchair division.

Elizabeth He produces The Deep Dive newsletter, creates designs for the Digital Mural, and has written articles about GBH.

June 12, 2025

This year marks the 35th anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Here at GBH, we are committed to making media more accessible through captioning, descriptive narration, and more. Here are some words from our Executive Director of Accessibility, Donna Danielewski, Ph.D.

“GBH will host a panel discussion about disability as a natural part of the human experience, how to navigate life’s changes, and how together we can build a stronger, more supportive and connected community. We hope to see you there!” -Donna

Yours in media,
Elizabeth He, Visual Communications Editor

This is a web edition of GBH's The Deep Dive, a weekly newsletter bringing you the best GBH has to offer.

Audiobooks and the Accessibility Revolution

Watch how the birth of the audiobook transformed the lives of people who are blind here.
Then, watch AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’s documentary Change Not Charity: The American with Disabilities Act and these short stories created by the disability community.
And check out this behind-the-scenes interview with Jim LeBrecht and Chana Gazit, the director and writer/producer.

Another Point of View

How LEGO Helps Blind People See

Meet Matthew Shifrin, blind since birth, and learn how he sees by building a LEGO castle. Learn how

How Blind People See with Sound

Canadian YouTuber Molly Burke shares with Joe Hanson (also known as our own High School Quiz Showhost) how she navigates the world...with a skill used by beluga whales? What are her tactics?

Stories from the Community

50 Years Ago, One Man Made History

In 1975, Bob Hall was the first wheelchair competitor in the Boston Marathon. Since then, nearly 1,900 wheelchair athletes have followed.Read or listen to this inspirational story that changed the iconic race

For Blind and Low-vision Nature Lovers

A group walked through Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Mass. on a recent morning. How they spent their time outside

Deaf Jam: What Do You Love About Being Deaf?

Aneta Brodski and her classmates at the Lexington School for the Deaf discuss what they love – and what they hate – about being deaf. Weighing the pros and cons

GBH’s Work in Accessibility

GBH Captions

Did you know that captions for broadcast television were innovated for television at GBH? Find out which TV showwas the first to air with captions in 1972.

FRONTLINE Produces Its First ASL-Interpreted Podcast

In October 2023, victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine included people from the Deaf community. Learn more about FRONTLINE’s groundbreaking coverage of this tragedy