Demystifying Disability, Revised Edition: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally - Paperback
Demystifying Disability, Revised Edition: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally - Paperback
by Emily Ladau (Author)
Now revised and expanded with a new preface, updated statistics, and information on how to navigate disability in a world impacted by COVID.
This approachable guide teaches you how to be a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do), and tips for creating a more accessible, inclusive world. "A fantastic primer for improving your understanding of disability and ableism."--NPR, Best Books of the Year, on the original edition People with disabilities are the world's largest minority, an estimated 16 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? Now newly revised and expanded, this friendly handbook teaches you about: - Recognizing and avoiding ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)- Practicing good disability etiquette, including tips for navigating our post-pandemic world
- Incorporating accessibility into your standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events
- Disability history and identity
- Policy changes made by the Trump administration
- 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.
Author Biography
Emily Ladau is a passionate disability rights activist and author. She has served as the editor of multiple publications including Able News at The Viscardi Center, The Century Foundation's Voices of Disability Economic Justice project, and the Rooted in Rights Blog. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Vice, and HuffPost, and she is a cohost of The Accessible Stall podcast. She has also spoken before audiences from Microsoft to the United Nations and does consulting work to reimagine entertainment industry standards for disability inclusion and create a more accessible cultural landscape. Emily is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions, including Adelphi University's 10 Under 10 Young Alumni, the American Association of People with Disabilities' Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's Disability Advocate of the Year Award, the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities' Frieda Zames Advocacy Award, and the Women's Media Center's Progressive Women's Voices IMPACT Award.