The disability rights movement has focused on enacting policies that advance dignity and autonomy for disabled people. That includes disabled individuals knowing what's best for oneself. Disabled individuals are often denied their independence and their voices overshadowed by the nondisabled, speaking on their behalf. Within this guide you will find an array of resources written and created by disabled authors. Hopefully, this guide will help to amplify the voices of disabled individuals and celebrate their contributions, perspectives and stories.
The selected books section features a collection of books authored by disabled writers, available in the SU Libraries collection. Some works focus directly on disability-related topics, while others explore diverse themes. The selections include memoirs, anthologies, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction books.
If you click on the selected database tab, you will find a link to our Disability in the Modern World database and ways in which to access materials written by disabled authors.
In this guide you will also find websites and other resources writen, created or for the disabled community.
This guide is by no means a complete list of books and materials written by disabled authors. If you have a suggestion for a resource not included in this guide, please feel free to email grcolosi@syr.edu
When disability is portrayed in the media, It's frequently created by and for nondisabled individuals. With 20 percent of the population, (based on CDC data) including media audiences and creators, being disabled, it's crucial that disabled people have control of their own stories.
A mix of identity-first language and person-first language is used throughout this guide. Identity-first language is often preferred by many disabled individuals as it emphasizes disability as an integral part of identity. However, the use of person-first language is sometimes necessary, as preferences can vary depending on specific disabilities and contexts. More information on Person-First and Identity-First language can be found below:
NIH: Writing Respectfully Person-First and Identity-First Language
National Center on Disability and Journalism: Disability Language Style Guide