This unique radio series is a four hour documentary about the shared experience of people with disabilities and their families since the beginning of the 19th century.

Beyond Affliction: The Disability History Project was accompanied by six hours of Talk of the Nation programming devoted to disability issues and a deep, website that includes many of the primary sources from which the series was developed. Majority production funds were provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and AT&T. R & D funds from the Massachusetts, New York, California, and Connecticut Humanities Councils. Broadcast Spring, 1998, rebroadcasts through May 1999. The series received a 1998 Easter Seals Special EDI Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Journalism in 1999.

Available in CD Format

Running time: 4 hours


Product Reviews

"I'm very proud of what you produced. Beyond Affliction represents the best of what public radio can accomplish. I hope all your funders understand they have contributed to one of the best projects ever heard on public radio.”" -–Bill Buzenberg, Senior Director, Minnesota Public Radio

"In my experience, this was one of the most powerful pieces of radio ever. It did exactly what great radio is supposed to do: it transformed the lives of people who heard it. It was a moving and powerful series which generated enormous public interest and response." --Jeffrey Dvorkin, Vice President, National Public Radio

"You managed to cram so much information and yet keep a dramatic edge. BRAVO! You have done a fine service for disability studies." -–Rosemarie Garland Thompson, English Department, Howard University