Novel Ideas: Disabled Representation in Books

Literature is a powerful way to showcase alternative experiences and, in doing so, it means that people broaden their viewpoint. Representation of disability in literature is vital. Visibility is an important step towards fighting the stigma around disabilities and additional needs, and in working towards inclusion. An interesting 2014 study by Adomat found that when children in school were exposed to books which painted disability in a normal light, “children not only learned about various disabilities, but they came to understand characters with disabilities as full and complex beings, similar in many ways to themselves.” This shows just how influential books can be.

KEEN has compiled a (non-exhaustive!) list of disabled writers and books which shed new light on disability and additional needs, both for younger readers and older readers. You can learn more from the resources below.