Disability is a physical or mental condition that significantly affects a person’s life activities. Disabilities that affect mobility, hearing, vision, and cognition are the most common. Around 20% of the US population have disabilities of some kind. Disability is more common among older people, with almost half of the people aged 65 and over being disabled. Moreover, as per CDC, around 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability. Below we are sharing the list of 9 best disability books that will inspire both disabled and nondisabled persons to encourage diversity and inclusion in society.
The List of 9 Best Disability Books
Below we listed the 9 best books on disability that will inspire readers to be more inclusive towards disabled persons. Also, they will learn how to act, listen, and help people with disability.
1. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally By Emily Ladau
An estimated 15 percent of the global population is disabled making them the world’s largest minority. This book teaches both disabled and nondisabled persons alike how to act, speak, and become an ally with the disabled community. It discusses topics such as recognizing and avoiding ableism, practicing good disability etiquette, appreciating disability history and identity, and many more. The book serves as a welcoming place for anyone to understand disability as part of the human experience.
2. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century By Alice Wong
Disabilities- both visible and less apparent, are often underrepresented in media and popular culture. This anthology consists of contemporary essays by disabled people such as Harriet McBryde Johnson and authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma. It illustrates the rich complexities of the life of disabled persons and highlights their passions, talents, and everyday lives. The readers can better understand disability culture from this book.
3. Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion By Lamar Hardwick
The author Lamar Hardwick found out that he had autism spectrum disorder at the age of 36. As a pastor, this revelation caused him to re-evaluate the way disabled people are treated in the church. Disabled persons often feel unwelcome and are pushed away from the church. In this book, Lamar encourages the reconsideration of the church’s responsibilities to disabled people and offers practical guidelines to build stronger, truly inclusive communities of faith.
4. It’s OK to be Different: A Children’s Picture Book About Diversity and Kindness By Sharon Purtill
Every child is unique and their individuality must be accepted and celebrated. This rhyming picture book highlights the ways kids are different from one another and encourages kids to be kind and befriend those who are different from themselves. It teaches kids to accept themselves and others as they are. From this book, kids will learn about diversity and inclusion as well as early literacy at an early age. The book also addresses issues such as anti-bullying, racism, disabilities, and special needs. The book is a perfect gift for kids from preschool through grade 3.
5. All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything (Inspiring Activism and Diversity Book About Children with Special Needs) By Annette Bay Pimentel
This autobiographical picture book illustrates the true story of lifelong activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. You will find Jennifer’s inspiring life story and the history of the disability rights movement in this book. The Americans with Disabilities Act was proposed in Congress to make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities. Without her wheelchair, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them and make sure the law passed. The book can be used in elementary schools to supplement the disability rights curriculum and the history of the ADA.
6. Just Human: The Quest for Disability Wisdom, Respect, and Inclusion By Arielle Silverman Ph.D.
The author Dr. Arielle Silverman was born without sight. She never bothered about her blindness that much, but people around her made her feel miserable. In this book, the author shares unique anecdotes from her life and reflections on her memories from birth to adulthood that can teach all of us. From her memoir, we can learn about disability history, theory, and wisdom. This vast compilation of experience, research, and applicable strategies will inspire us to embrace equality and inclusion.
7. Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist By Judith Heumann
Judith Heumann was one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history. She had a lifelong battle to establish respect, acceptance, and inclusion for disabled persons in society. In this book, Judith shares how being a disabled person he had to fight to receive an education, have a job, and just be human. Judy’s pioneering actions fundamentally improved the rights of disabled people. Judith worked with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies and successfully pressured the Carter administration to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. This book will inspire readers to make a world where diversity and inclusion thrive.
8. Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body By Rebekah Taussig
In this book, disability advocate Rebekah Taussig helps us understand the diversity of humanity. In her view, disability affects all of us at one point or another. Growing up as a paralyzed girl, Rebekah noticed that disability is depicted as something monstrous, inspirational, or angelic. In this memoir, she represents disability as complex and ordinary, uncomfortable and fine, painful and fulfilling.
9. Laughing at My Nightmare By Shane Burcaw
In this book, Shane Burcaw describes the challenges he faces as a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy with a witty and humorous voice. Shane explains how he handles everyday awkward situations and his perspective in life. Teens can relate to his stories and obtain wisdom about life.
You may also read: The 23 Best Books on Domestic Violence
Conclusion
So, we have shared our list of the 9 best disability books that help us understand persons with disability better. We will be able to think, act, and help disabled persons better by reading these books better. These books also talk about famous disability rights activists and illustrate their inspiring life stories. Readers can get inspiration and life-changing wisdom from these books.
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