Learning+Disabilities

‘Radio’ is a movie that was released in 2004 and was directed by Michael Tollin. ‘Radio’ is about a true story where a high school football coach takes a mentally challenged boy under his wing and helps him to feel welcome in the community. This movie would be suitable to show to students in any high school years. It would be a good resource to show to students in high school to show them not to discriminate against people with mental and physical disabilities. In the movie, James or Radio as people call him, is the mentally challenged person who walks around the town of Hanna when one day some boys from the local football team attack and torment him. When the coach finds out about this, he is outraged and wants to help James. He does this by taking him into his classroom at the school where he works, lets him help coach the football team and just generally takes care of him. ‘Radio’ could be used to include students with learning disabilities as the movie is about including people of all abilities. In the movie, James’ condition is not fully explained but he shows signs of autism. Throughout the movie James becomes more self confident and outgoing because of the support he receives from all of the students at the school, the teachers at the school, the people around the town and especially from coach Jones. From including James in activities such as coaching the football team, he is able to feel included and grow in self confidence.