Books to Uplift Perspectives and Experiences of Disability

The Challenge 

NEA is dedicated to championing literature that includes disability and intersectional perspectives. NEA is providing resources to help educators incorporate more literature reflecting the viewpoints and experiences of more than twenty percent of our population with visible or non-apparent disabilities. This endeavor is crucial for combating ableism, educating readers about the realities of living with a disability, and dispelling misinformation.

As part of NEA's Disability Rights and Inclusion (DRI) initiative, NEA has curated a searchable booklist of approximately 150 titles. This resource empowers librarians and educators to identify books encompassing these perspectives. Additionally, we're providing a book justification resource and a checklist for identifying high-quality books.

The Opportunity: Benefits of Disability Representation in our Libraries

Books with a disability perspective in school libraries play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and understanding among students. Including literature featuring protagonists with disabilities benefits all students by creating a welcoming and engaging space for everyone. These books help students learn about individual differences, promote positive attitudes, and challenge stereotypes regarding disabilities. Libraries are committed to providing equal access to collections, services, and facilities for all users, including those with disabilities, ensuring that materials are diverse and accessible to everyone.  By offering books that center disability narratives, libraries can contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering inclusion, and promoting diverse perspectives within their communities.

Book Talks by Helena Donato-Sapp

Disability rights activist Helena Donato-Sapp is collaborating with NEA to promote the importance of disability representation. In support of this effort, she has prepared four engaging book talks to encourage educators to explore these titles and integrate books from NEA's curated booklist into school classrooms and libraries.

The book talks feature the following titles:

• "Figure it Out, Henrie Weldon" by Tanita S. Davis
• "Disability Visibility: Twenty-first Century Disabled Voices" by Alice Wong
• "I Am Not a Label: 34 Disabled Artists, Thinkers, Athletes and Activists from Past and Present" by Cerrie Burnell

We sincerely hope these book talks generate excitement and interest in these diverse books, inspire educators to download the booklist, incorporate books with diverse perspectives into their curricula and library collections, and foster a more inclusive and representative learning environment for all students.

Help Spread the Word on Inclusive Libraries and Classrooms

Download Helena Donato-Sapp's engaging book talks and share them on your social media platforms to encourage educators to explore these and other captivating titles and integrate them into school classrooms and libraries, fostering a more inclusive and representative learning experience for all students.

Access the Booklist and Other Resources

At NEA, we place great importance on the diverse content available on bookshelves especially given the escalating challenges educators face due to censorship and book bans. Reading serves as a mirror reflecting students' experiences while also acting as a window into different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the world. This curated booklist aims to facilitate access to a wide range of books tailored to meet your students' diverse needs. Utilize the sortable table provided below to browse books by Title, Author, Grade Level, Disability Representation, Diversity Representation, or Book Summary. For further sorting options, including genre/subgenre, links to World Cat, Awards, age range, theme/topic, format, accessible formats, languages, reviews, content warnings, and teaching resources, download the spreadsheet.

Download the Full Spreadsheet

Download the full Spreadsheet

Library Mini-Grants

NEA acknowledges the funding obstacles confronting school libraries and offers mini-grants to schools to aid in procuring books featured in the book list.

• Who is eligible to apply? School librarians/media specialists and educators.
• What is expected in return for the grant? Successful grant recipients will be asked to demonstrate how they have promoted the books in their library, including providing a brief book talk or self-recorded video showcasing how the books have contributed to raising awareness of disability perspectives.
• How much funding is available through the grants? The maximum grant amounts vary based on the size of your local affiliate:
  • $500 grants to small locals (< 200 members);
  • $1250 grants to medium locals (201-500 members);
  • $2500 to large locals (500+ members)

Access the Grant Application

Including books with a disability perspective in school libraries is not just about having a diverse collection of books; it's about creating a more inclusive, empathetic, and educated community. These books offer opportunities for all students to see the world through different lenses, promoting a culture of understanding and respect that extends beyond the library walls.