Shedding Light is TUTV’s first original series centered on disability, created to explore the lives, stories, history, and perspectives of the disability community—on campus, in Philadelphia, and beyond. Each episode highlights the voices of disabled individuals and challenges viewers to rethink what accessibility, representation, and inclusion really mean.
In this episode, hosts Jalyn Barrett and Emilie McCarthy turn their attention to the world of sports, taking a closer look at what accessibility in athletics looks like in practice. From local running clubs to Paralympic competition, the episode dives deep into how disabled athletes train, compete, and build community, while also highlighting the people working behind the scenes to make it all possible.
The story begins at Philly Achilles, a nonprofit running group that pairs disabled athletes with volunteer guides for weekly workouts and races. Founder Melissa Wilcox shares the story behind the Philly chapter’s launch and how the group has become a powerful source of connection, motivation, and visibility for athletes of all abilities. Members of the club also share their personal journeys, highlighting the joy and empowerment that comes from simply being in motion.
The episode then heads to Temple’s own Ann Dolloff, a professor and experienced adaptive sports coach, who shares her approach to coaching athletes with disabilities. She offers insight into how traditional coaching models are being reimagined to support every body—proving that with the right mindset, athleticism has no limits.
To round out the conversation, the team sits down with Renee Kirby, a former Temple faculty member and Paralympian, whose athletic career has taken her to the world stage. Her reflections on competing at the highest level and the work that continues after the spotlight fades offer a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.
Tune in to TUTV Monday, June 16, at 12:00 & 8:00 PM or stream any time on templetv.net, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV
