Advances in mobile technologies are revolutionizing communications for people with disabilities. For Maceo McKay, a two-year-old boy born with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), an iPad gives him the voice he never had. A simple app allows him to share his thoughts, feelings and desires with his family and his doctors, who are all still unsure about his future.

IMPACT

IMPACT #65

Episode 64 is about a test of wills -- we visit two groups of people determined to live normal lives in the face of some difficult challenges.

IMPACT #64

Episode 63 features the quaint and the quirky -- from conjuring new food formulas with chemical compounds to fast-paced racing with Trophy Karts.

IMPACT #63

Episode 62 features two stories about food in unusual places: from the trash and from a moving vehicle.

IMPACT #62

Episode 60 explores how stories from the Holocaust live on for future generations.

IMPACT #60

In episode 59, we encounter some students with unique educational opportunities: young artists who create art in their own image, a youth classical orchestra in Los Angeles, and a recreational center for students who might otherwise hang out on the streets.

IMPACT #59

In Episode 58, we look at some lifestyles, disciplines and careers that are off the beaten path. Our producers navigate us through the realm of Steampunks, past the tradition of Kendo and into the extreme world of stuntwomen.

IMPACT #58

In Episode 57, we look at some leisure activities that have turned from backyard distractions into major competitive events. Our producers take us to the hills of Southern California with extreme skateboarders that can hit 60 miles per hour, and to the table tennis courts with some ping-pong “wizards.”

IMPACT #57

In episode 56, we take a look at the things we consume and discard every day: food and trash. In Los Angeles, some areas are overflowing with garbage, and others don’t have enough access to food. Our stories take a look at each.

IMPACT #56

In Episode 55, we take to the vibrant streets of Los Angeles for some food, art and photography. We roll with food trucks and uncover the controversial worlds of graffiti artists and the paparazzi.

IMPACT #55

Our first episode in High-Definition! In Episode 54, we take a hands-on approach to art at different points in history. First, we go behind the scenes of an art form that sets modern cities aglow: neon signs. Then, we visit some students who are studying ancient artifacts with the help of cutting-edge technology.

IMPACT #54

In Episode 53, we take a look at some different survival stories. First, we meet a man who struggles to maintain a life after he falls ill to a rare and devastating disease. Then, we look inside animal shelters, to see what happens to man’s best friends when they’re not wanted anymore.

IMPACT #53

Episode 52 is all about the different ways animals can play a role in human lives. First, we take a look at some canines who are helping their police officer partners take a bite out of crime. Then, we see how some people take on the persona of an animal or other character to rev up school spirit. Finally, we go inside the concrete-laden Los Angeles River and meet some unlikely fishermen.

IMPACT #52

Animals don't eat them, but they eat animals. In our first piece we learn about the many varieties of carnivorous plants. Next, we meet a family that lives off the land in the middle of a big city. They are part of a movement called urban homesteading. In our final piece, we get to see the age-old art of Indian dance.

IMPACT #51

In this 50th edition of Impact , we'll see the important role religion and history play in people's lives. First we'll enter a spiritual commune found in the heart of Los Angeles. Then we meet a woman who preserves tradition and a part of history. Finally, we get to know a young woman who's faced with obstacles in the path to following her passion.

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