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Ableism and Disability Rights

These resources explain the basics of ableism (discrimination against people with disabilities) and the on-going fight for disabled rights by members of the disabled community and their abled allies. The list includes materials for children, teens, and adults.

19 items

  • Demystifying Disability

    What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be An Ally

    Ladau, Emily, 1991-
    A great introduction to life with disabilities, ableism, and how abled people can be better allies. Aimed at adults and teens.
    BookCalifornia : Ten Speed Press, 2021 — 305.908 LADAU
  • Disability Visibility

    First-person Stories From the Twenty-first Century

    A collection of contemporary disabled voices that give the reader insight into life with varying abilities. Aimed at adults and teens.
    BookNew York : Vintage Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, 2020 — 305.90809 DISABILITY
  • Written by a blind author, this straightforward look at historical and modern life with disabilities is a wonderful introduction to the subject of disability, ableism, and the disability rights movement for teenage readers.
    Book[Custer, WA] : Orca Book Publishers, 2021 — 362.4 LEAVITT
  • An informational picture book about the children with disabilities and their families who fought for the right to education regardless of ability. One of the co-authors is one of the many people with disabilities who were able to attend…
    BookChicago, Illinois : Albert Whitman & Company, 2021 — J344.73079 COCCA-LEFFLER
  • Rolling Warrior

    the Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution

    Heumann, Judith E.,
    A gripping memoir from disability rights activist Judith Heumann, who has advised major companies and the U.S. government on diversity and inclusion. Aimed at adults and teens.
    BookBoston : Beacon Press, [2021] — J362.40835 HEUMANN
  • Accessible America

    a History of Disability and Design

    Williamson, Bess,
    An in-depth history of disability in American society in the 20th century, focused on how the disability rights movement has changed the way that public spaces, assistive devices, and everyday items are designed and marketed. Aimed at…
    BookNew York : New York University Press, [2019] — 362.4047 WILLIAMSON
  • About Us

    Essays From the Disability Series of the New York Times

    This collection of articles by authors with disabilities covers a range of life experiences, all of them affected by structural ableism. An excellent exploration of why the motto of the disability rights movement is "nothing about us…
    BookNew York, NY : Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W.W. Norton & Company, [2019] — 362.40922 ABOUT
  • All the Way to the Top

    How One Girl's Fight for Americans With Disabilities Changed Everything

    Pimentel, Annette Bay,
    The true story of Jennifer Keelan, the 8-year-old girl who participated in the Capitol Crawl in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the law that now provides legal protections for the 20% of Americans with disabilities.…
    BookNaperville, IL : Sourcebooks eXplore, [2020] — J323.3 PIMENTEL
  • I Am Not a Label

    34 Disabled Artists, Thinkers, Athletes and Activists From Past and Present

    Burnell, Cerrie,
    A whirlwind tour of people with disabilities who made an impact on our society, both past and present. Aimed at older elementary school readers (ages 7-10).
    BookBeverly, MA : Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 2020 — J305.90809 BURNELL
  • Enabling Acts

    the Hidden Story of How the Americans With Disabilities Act Gave the Largest Us Minority Its Rights

    Davis, Lennard J., 1949-
    Written 25 years after the ADA was passed, this is the first in-depth book on how that law came into being. Dive into the fascinating story of the odd alliances, legal battles, and disabled voices that led this this landmark legislation.…
    BookBoston : Beacon Press, [2015] — 342.73087 DAVIS
  • An unflinching look at the history of people with disabilities and their treatment by the culture around them, including discussion of the conflicting views of Native American and settler-colonialist societies on disability. Aimed at…
    BookBoston : Beacon Press, c2012 — 362.40973 NIELSEN
  • An explanation of the Paralympic Games, their origins, and today's top athletes with disabilities. Aimed at older elementary and middle grade readers (ages 8-12).
    BookNew York : Penguin Workshop, [2020] — J796.0456 HERMAN
  • A beautifully-illustrated celebration of all the ways bodies can move, and a fantastic introduction to the topic of disability for young readers. Also includes a kid-friendly glossary that gives children the vocabulary to discuss this…
    Picture BookChico, California : AK Press, [2021] — JPB FRITSCH,K
  • My Brain Is Different

    Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders

    Monzusu,
    A collection of memoir-essays from people with developmental disorders, all translated into manga form by an illustrator with ADHD. Aimed at teens.
    Graphic Novel[Los Angeles, California] : Seven Seas Entertainment, [2022] — 616.8589 MONZUSU
  • An honest, charming story about life as a child with an obvious physical disability, and how abled children can treat their disabled peers as full people, not curiosities. Aimed at young readers (ages 2-11).
    Picture BookLondon : Faber & Faber Limited, 2021 — JPB CATCHPOLE,J
  • Narrated by Zulay, a blind first grader, this story explores what it feels like to be both set apart by and accepted for your abilities. Both blind and sighted readers can relate to Zulay's experiences learning new skills and striving for…
    Picture BookNew York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015 — JPB BEST,C
  • Six Dots

    a Story of Young Louis Braille

    Bryant, Jen, 1960-
    The true story of Louis Braille, who lost his sight at age 5 and was inspired to create an alphabet that let himself and other blind people read. Louis' genius led to the Braille writing system, used all over the world to this day. Aimed…
    BrailleNew York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2016 — JB BRAILLE,L
  • A faithful portrait of the real Helen Keller, who is too often painted as quiet, sweet, and endlessly patient with the ableist society around her. But Helen was a lifelong, blind-deaf activist for disability rights who used her voice to…
    BookNew York : Holiday House, c2001 — JB KELLER,H
  • A friendly, frank guide for kids learning to discuss disabilities and the people who live with them. Aimed at young readers (ages 5+).
    Book[Portland, Oregon] : A Kids Book About, Inc., [2020] — J305.908 NAPPER