What to read for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec 3 2024
This month, the United Nations celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It’s a time to celebrate disabled communities and disability rights activists, highlight disabled voices, and fight against ableism. "An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us," the global organization explained. This is another important opportunity to honor the history, experiences, and struggles of the community, while also raising awareness and encouraging visibility and inclusion. Understanding ableism is a good place to start in supporting disabled communities. Ableism is discrimination in favor of able-bodied people–the idea that disabled people are somehow inferior to abled people. It often intersects with other forms of oppression such as racism, classism, and homophobia. Everyone, including disabled people, is capable of perpetuating ableism. It is built into various societal systems and can be expressed in many ways, from overt to more subtle microaggressions.While it’s important to support disabled communities and avoid ableist language and ideas every day, December is a great time to get started and become educated. Here is a list of books with disability and queer rep to add to your TBR.“Iron Widow” by Xiran Jay Zhao is a sci-fi novel perfect for fans of “Pacific Rim” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” as it expertly blends Chinese history and mecha aliens for battle.“True Biz” by Sara Novic is a moving novel that deals with romantic, political, and familiar shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf.“One for All” by Lillie Lainoff is a retelling of “The Three Musketeers” with a girl dealing with chronic illness who trains as a Musketeer and discovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.“Disability Visibility” by Alice Wong is a riveting anthology featuring a collection of first-person stories and essays that shine light on the experience of life as someone with disabilities.
Iron Widow
By Xiran Jay ZhaoPacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.
True Biz
By Sara NovicThis is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence. This is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and celebration of human connection.
One for All
By Lillie LainoffOne for All is a gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers, in which a girl with a chronic illness trains as a Musketeer and uncovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.
Disability Visibility
By Alice WongSome disabilities are visible, others less apparent—but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.
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