Special Needs Caregiver Tips and Strategies TV Series Featuring Characters or Performers With Disabilities By Terri Mauro Terri Mauro Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Terri Mauro is the author of "50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education" and contributor to the Parenting Roundabout podcast. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 05, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Andrea Rice Fact checked by Andrea Rice Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Andrea Rice is an award-winning journalist and a freelance writer, editor, and fact-checker specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Print A big part of raising awareness and acceptance for people with disabilities is making their stories part of popular culture. Check out our list of TV series that have had regularly featured characters or performers with disabilities. Be sure to check out reviews before watching because they aren't all kid-friendly. Alphas Show: "Alphas"Network: SyFyOn the Air: 2011-2012Gary Bell (Ryan Cartwright) is a young man with autism whose abilities as a "human antenna" make him valuable to a crime-fighting team of people with extraordinary abilities. Breaking Bad Show: "Breaking Bad"Network: AMCOn the Air: 2008-2013Walter White, Jr. (RJ Mitte) is the son of a chemistry teacher turned meth maker who, like the actor who plays him, has cerebral palsy. The Bridge Show: "The Bridge"Network: FXOn the Air: 2013-2014Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) is an autistic detective in the El Paso police department. Covert Affairs Show: "Covert Affairs"Network: USAOn the Air: 2010-2014Christopher Gorham plays Auggie Anderson, a blind CIA analyst who's a tech whiz and sidekick for newbie agent Annie Walker, played by Piper Perabo. Glee Show: "Glee"Network: FOXOn the Air: 2009-2015Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale), is a glee-club member who uses a wheelchair, and Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter), is a cheerleader with Down syndrome. Grey's Anatomy Show: "Grey's Anatomy"Network: ABCOn the Air: 2005-PresentThe sixth season features Dr. Virginia Dixon (Mary McDonnell), a cardiac surgeon on the autism spectrum. King & Maxwell Show: "King and Maxwell"Network: TNTOn the Air: 2013The show features Edgar Roy (Ryan Hurst), who is often described as "a high-functioning autistic savant" specializing in patterns and numerical sequences. Legit Show: "Legit"Network: FX and FXXOn the Air: 2013-2014Billy Nugent (DJ Qualls), a man with muscular dystrophy is sprung from a nursing home by a friend trying to do good. Life Goes On Show: "Life Goes On"Network: ABCOn the Air: 1989-1993Corky Thatcher (Chris Burke), a high-school student with Down syndrome, just like the actor who plays him, is a member of the family the series focuses on. The Middle Show: "The Middle"Network: ABCOn the Air: 2009-2018Brick (Atticus Shaffer), the youngest child of the Heck family has osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease. Modern Family Show: "Modern Family"Network: ABCOn the Air: 2009-2020Sarah Hyland, who plays Haley Dunphy, revealed that she was born with kidney dysplasia and received a kidney transplant from her father in April 2012. After complications five years later, she received a kidney from her brother, actor Ian Hyland. Parenthood Show: "Parenthood"Network: NBCOn the Air: 2010- 2015Max Braverman (Max Burkholder), a member of the youngest generation of the sprawling Braverman clan is on the autism spectrum. The Secret Life of the American Teenager Show: "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"Network: ABC FamilyOn the Air: 2008-2013Tom Bowman (Luke Zimmerman), is a level-headed young man with Down syndrome, much like the actor who plays him. St. Elsewhere Show: "St. Elsewhere"Network: NBCOn the Air: 1982-1988Tommy Westphall (Chad Allen) is the autistic son of St. Eligius Hospital honcho Dr. Donald Westphall. Switched at Birth Show: "Switched at Birth"Network: ABC FamilyOn the Air: 2011- 2017Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc), a Deaf teenager, finds out she went home with the wrong family as an infant. One episode—season 2, episode 9—used only American Sign Language (ASL). The West Wing Show: "The West Wing"Network: NBCOn the Air: 1999-2006Marlee Matlin plays Joey Lucus, a pollster who, much like the actor who plays her, is Deaf. These Are the Best Children’s Books to Encourage Their Love of Reading Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Kidney Foundation. Modern Family star opens up about her kidney disease and transplants.