It’s worth noting that Kenneth spent the entire episode making the game (and the subsequent fight) as inclusive as possible for JJ and his disabled friends (all of whom were played by disabled actors/actresses).
BONUS:
Bonus #2
Of course I had to show the best part:
Transcript: screencaps from ABC’s Speechless. JJ, a teenager with cerebral palsy, is playing a movie trivia game with Kenneth, his aide. Kenneth reads the card “What was Pierce Brosnan’s first James Bond movie?” He immediately answers his own question: “GoldenEye! In your face!” JJ, using his laser pointer, more slowly spells out GoldenEye on his communication board, and then gives Kenneth a very dirty look. “Okay, perhaps this isn’t the most inclusive trivia experience,” Kenneth admits. “How to level this playing field?” Kenneth reads out another trivia card: “Michael Myers’ mask was based on the face of what famous actor?“ Now both Kenneth and JJ are using laser pointers.
Bonus: JJ’s friend Aiden, a visually impaired teenager, says “Can we play?” Cut to Aiden, holding his cane, and JJ’s other friends, all also disabled teenagers. “Huh, let’s see,” Kenneth says. “Visual impairment, hearing impairment, Down syndrome, autism, and a walker. How to make this game fair for these beautiful kids?” Once they’re all ready to play: “Well, everyone has a laser and a letter board. Aiden, your letter board is extra large so you can read it. We’ll present all questions aurally and visually so hearing won’t be an issue.”
Bonus 2, the best part: Aiden says “You want to go?” Kenneth hastily gets between Aiden and JJ. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, no, no, no, no. Okay, guys, listen. This is a game, not a brawl.“ JJ spells out “What if we want a brawl?” One of the other teenagers, a girl, says “I know I do,” flapping emphatically. “Hmm,” Kenneth says. “What accommodations can I devise to allow these gorgeous youths an equal-opportunity death-match?”
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