Terry L. Shepherd, Texas A&M International University

Weekly television series have more influence on American society than any other form of media, and with many of these series available on DVDs, television series are readily accessible to most consumers. Studying television series provides a unique perspective on society’s view of individuals with disabilities and influences how teachers and peers view students with disabilities. Special education teachers can use select episodes to differentiate between the fact and fiction of portrayed individuals with disabilities with their students, and discuss acceptance of peers with disabilities. With its philosophy of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, Star Trek has portrayed a number of persons with disabilities over the last forty years. Examples of select episodes and implications for special education teachers for using Star Trek for instructional purposes through guided viewing are discussed.

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