NETA Public Media Nomination

Beacon College has earned a national Public Media Award nomination from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) for A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity, the nationally distributed public media program created and produced by Beacon College and presented by WUCF.

The nomination, awarded in the Independent Producer category of NETA’s 58th Annual Public Media Awards, recognizes excellence in public media content and community impact. Winners will be announced Sept. 13 during the 2026 NETA Conference.

The public media series explores issues related to learning disabilities experienced from childhood through college. Through conversations with neurodiverse families, tips form experts and profiles of accomplished individuals with learning differences, the series empowers and celebrates neurodiverse families around the world.

Originating on Orlando PBS member station WUCF and distributed nationally through NETA and available through the PBS app, A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity gives voice to neurodiverse families, while highlighting their strengths and lived experiences. Through documentary storytelling, the program explores the opportunities and challenges neurodivergent individuals encounter, particularly in academic settings. A signature feature of the program is Ask the Experts, in which Beacon College experts join educators, therapists, psychologists and specialists from around the world to share practical strategies families, educators and employers can intentionally put into practice. This segment reflects Beacon College’s leadership in advancing understanding, inclusion and success for individuals who learn differently.

“In a time when connection and community matter more than ever, stations are bringing public media’s mission to life in powerful ways, reflecting the values and vision of the system by serving communities with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to storytelling that matters,” said NETA President Eric Hyyppa. “Congratulations to all the honorees. Their work is truly remarkable.”

The Public Media Awards celebrate a mosaic of creative and diverse work that reflects the collective power of public media to educate, inform, inspire and connect. With the exception of the overall excellence categories, stations compete within divisions based on their station size. Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists from within the public media system, as well as industry professionals working outside of public media.