Building on Mister Rogers' Legacy on Inclusion with Jay Manuel and Kristin DiQuollo

Voice actor JAY MANUEL and Co-Executive Producer KRISTIN DiQULLO introduce Jeff Mouse on the PBS Kids series, Donkey Hodie. 

An intrepid explorer and avid nature lover, Jeff Mouse was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, which limits his physical abilities, but not his can-do attitude! He was created in honor of Jeff Erlanger, a young guest who appeared in an unforgettable episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and sang a moving duet of Fred’s song, “It’s You I Like,” with the famous show host. 

To portray Jeff Mouse authentically, Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures engaged Disability Belongs, the national disability-led nonprofit that works to empower people with disabilities to have a better future, to advise on the development of the character and Permobil, a global leader in power and manual wheelchair solutions, to help create Jeff’s chair. 

 With the introduction of this endearing new character, Donkey Hodie is helping to further Fred Rogers’ legacy for today’s preschoolers of inclusion and kindness.

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JAY MANUEL is a music producer and content creator based in Georgia. Despite facing challenges such as being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, as well as Autism, Jay has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music industry.

As a full-time content creator, Jay produces engaging content that showcases his unique perspective and personality. He has collaborated with top companies like Coca-Cola and Snapchat and has produced songs for both independent and label artists such as Yung Bleu, Fred the Godson, Boldy James, DJ Luke Nasty, and many others. Jay is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy and mentors up-and-coming music producers while continuing to create content that positively impacts his community.

As Co-Executive Producer of Donkey Hodie, KRISTIN DiQUOLLO provides leadership and creative vision to Fred Rogers Productions' and Spiffy Pictures' puppet series for preschoolers. which is inspired by characters from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  Prior to joining the company, she led production of broadcast and digital content for the PBS Kids series, Cyberchase as executive producer and story editor of WNET New York, helping to spearhead its expansion on digital platforms, including strategies for accessibility, as well as its evolution as a series focusing on math and environmental themes for 6-8-year-olds A nominee for multiple Daytime Emmy awards, and a winner for Cousin Hodie Playdate, Kristin was honored with Parents' Choice and Kidscreen awards and oversaw Cyberchase's national family and educator engagement efforts, broadening the series' reach to new public media audiences.

Experienced in using research to inform development and design of content, she has worked on several projects that investigate learning outcomes from educational media. Kristin previously worked in educational outreach and marketing for the IMAX Corporation and as an associate editor and projects coordinator for Merlyn's Pen, a magazine and website showcasing the works of teenage writers.  She received ther B.A. in Englihs from Providence College.

HOSTS

Steven McCoy

Angie Castro

WEBSITES

PBS Kids

Disability Belongs

This episode co-produced by Steven McCoy with Alison Grand and Christina Gorski. Our producer is Akira Nakano.

www.innovatinginclusion.org