A Welcome for the Disabled on Jeopardy
Host Alex Trebek, who has made sure his show is inclusive, calls for the disabled to show how easy accommodating them can be
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By John M. Williams
Most Americans know Alex Trebek as the witty, urbane host of the popular television game show Jeopardy. But few know that Trebek has played an influential role in making the show accommodating for people with disabilities. On Mar. 16, the American Foundation for the Blind presented Trebek with one of six 2001 Access Awards in Washington, D.C. He received the honor for helping Eddie Timanus, a blind sportswriter with the national newspaper USA Today to compete on the show. After the ceremony, Trebek sat down with me to discuss his views on assistive technology, the disability community, and the media. Here are edited excerpts from our conversation: