Demystifying Disability

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

De: Emily Ladau

Narrado por: Emily Ladau

An approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, Booklist • “A candid, accessible cheat sheet for anyone who wants to thoughtfully join the conversation . . . Emily makes the intimidating approachable and the complicated clear.”—Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient, Disabled Body

People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, an estimated 15 percent of the global population. But many of us—disabled and nondisabled alike—don’t know how to act, what to say, or how to be an ally to the disability community. What are the appropriate ways to think, talk, and ask about disability? Demystifying Disability is a friendly handbook on the important disability issues you need to know about, including:

• Recognizing and avoiding ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)
• Practicing good disability etiquette
• Ensuring accessibility becomes your standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events
• Appreciating disability history and identity
• Identifying and speaking up about disability stereotypes in media

Authored by celebrated disability rights advocate, speaker, and writer Emily Ladau, this practical, intersectional guide offers all readers a welcoming place to understand disability as part of the human experience.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of Resources and Further Reading from the book

Praise for Demystifying Disability

“Whether you have a disability, or you are non-disabled, Demystifying Disability is a MUST READ. Emily Ladau is a wise spirit who thinks deeply and writes exquisitely.”—Judy Heumann, international disability rights advocate and author of Being Heumann

“Emily Ladau has done her homework, and Demystifying Disability is her candid, accessible cheat sheet for anyone who wants to thoughtfully join the conversation. A teacher who makes you forget you’re learning, Emily makes the intimidating approachable and the complicated clear. This book is a generous and needed gift.”—Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body

Great starting place!

I think this book is a wonderful starting place for exploring the world of disabilities, whether that's due to having proximity with someone(s) who is disabled, or you're starting a job working with disabled people. Or just find yourself realizing that you need to know more, and there needs to be more voices and actions in the world to change our ableist society for more inclusion of those with differences!
Don't stop here, but it's definitely a great place to start!

Good conversation starter! So relevant! Thanks, Emily!

As someone born with a physical disability (though I don't particularly like the word disability) and as someone who uses mobility aids, I related to so much of Emily's experience, and the things discussed in her book. It was invigorating and validating listening to this title. I highly recommend it for anyone, particularly for those who want to be better, educated/more supportive of those in the disability community, and I also recommend it for whom this topic is totally new, listening to it is highly effective… In fact, it would be my suggested way to enjoy this book. Thanks, Emily!

We should have learned this is school

Thank you thank you! I have pages of notes, and so many questions. Everyone needs to read this book asap.

Emily’s grace in allowing people to make mistakes

Emily’s true experiences shaped this book into a great tool to be mindful and not to be afraid to ask questions. Fantastic Group Read for Dancing Classrooms NYC!

Easy to read disability primer

An excellent read for those who are wanting a primer on disability, living with a disability and tips on how to not be an ableist. I have spent my life around many disability advocates and this narrative was super engaging and supportive of those who have little to no experience with people with disabilities.