SXSW: Stuttering & Disability in Film, Tech, Education, and Media [FREE]

​Welcome to Stuttering & Disability in Film, TV, Tech, and Education, a free event presented by Proud Stutter and the Arthur M. Blank Center during SXSW 2026 at UT-Austin.

​This gathering is focused on disability representation in media and is designed for filmmakers, television creators, technologists, educators, founders, and members of the stuttering and disability communities who care about how stories shape culture.

​The program brings together leaders across film, TV, technology, and education to explore how these intersecting industries influence visibility, opportunity, and access. We will lift up disability and stuttering storytelling and forthcoming projects from and by the community, discuss how inclusive design shows up in AI and digital platforms, and share how storytelling can serve as a tool for cultural and systems change.

​Confirmed speakers include Dom Kelly, Founder and CEO of New Disabled South; Jack Rodriguez, Speech-Language Pathologist at the Arthur M. Blank Center; Shaomei Wu, Founder of AImpower.org; Mitch Guerra, television personality and contestant on Survivor who openly shares his experience as a person who stutters; and the filmmaking team behind The Way We Move, premiering at SXSW. More speakers to be announced soon!

​Through film excerpts, moderated discussion, and audience engagement, we will examine how these industries can move toward more inclusive practices and how creators and leaders can actively shift narratives around disabilities.

​There is a capacity limit. Attendance will be first-come, first-served. Coffee and a breakfast goodies will be provided. We encourage you to arrive early to secure a seat. Monitor this space [https://www.proudstutter.org/events/sxsw] for a detailed schedule and program updates.