By Bryn Sandberg ABC’s new comedy Speechless is eschewing tropes ... whose special-needs brother served as the inspiration for the main character in the series played by Micah Fowler, a young ...

(The main difference between Fowler and his character is that J.J. has non-verbal cerebral-palsy, while Fowler can speak.) But Speechless isn’t content to rest on its inclusive laurels.

and that's our priority," Speechless star John Ross Bowie tells TVGuide.com. "If we also shed some light and add to the discourse about disability, that's gravy, but our main job is to be a funny ...

Speechless subverts disabled narrative tropes by focusing on J.J. 100%. Too often an able-bodied character like a wife or mother acts as a go-between for the able-bodied audience watching ...

Speechless' Minnie Driver is the mom you wish ... one of which is disabled and non-verbal. Driver's character goes to great lengths to ensure her family's happiness, and her bold demeanor and ...

PLUS: Cedric reveals his favorite parts of his character's apartment. PLUS: Cedric reveals his favorite parts of his character’s apartment. PEOPLE Now airs live, Monday through Friday ...