DEMYSTIFYING DISABILITY

DEMYSTIFYING DISABILITY is 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 one can help make the world a more accessible, inclusive place.

Disabled people are the world's largest minority, an estimated 15 percent of the global population. But many of us - disabled and non-disabled alike - don't know how to act, what to say, or how to be an ally to the disability community. DEMYSIFYING DISABILITY is a friendly handbook on important disability issues you need to know about, including:

How to appreciate disability history and identity
How to recognize and avoid ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)
How to be mindful of good disability etiquette
How to appropriately think, talk, and ask about disability
How to ensure accessibility becomes your standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events
How to identify and speak up about disability stereotypes in media

Despite increased visibility of disability issues, there is no self-improvement book on market that is accessible, entry-level, up-to-date, and thoughtful about how to understand and approach disability. 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.

Emily Ladau is an internationally known disability rights activist, writer, and speaker. She is the editor in chief of the Rooted in Rights blog, a platform dedicated to amplifying authentic narratives of the disability experience through an intersectional lens. She also co-hosts The Accessible Stall, a podcast about disability issues. Ladau's writing has been published in outlets including The New York Times, HuffPost, CNN, Self, Salon, Vice, The Daily Beast, Variety, and Marie Claire Australia. Her work is also included in the Criptiques Anthology and About Us: Essays from the New York Times' Disability Series. She has served as an expert source on disability issues for outlets including NPR, Vox, Washington Post, and Teen Vogue, and has been featured by a range of press outlets including Newsday, BuzzFeed, CBS News, and U.S. News & World Report.