Individuals with disabilities are one of the biggest minorities in the world. However, there is a lack of accurate representation of those individuals in the media. "The Abilities in Me," a children's book series whose protagonists are children with disabilities, is trying to change that. According to their website,
"The abilities in me is a non-profit children's book series founded by the Author, Gemma Keir in late 2018. Alongside Adam Walker-Parker Illustration, their goal was to create children's books to explain the abilities within a disability. After publishing 6 books in their first year. They continue to create awareness, which brings inclusion to children around the world."
Without further delay, here are three reasons you need these books on your shelf, according to a person with a disability.
1. The books cover a wide variety of disabilities.
This book series covers all different types of disabilities, both developmental and physical. The currently covered disabilities include, 22Q Deletion, Congenital Heart Defect, Type 1 Diabetes, Autism, Hydrocephalus, Tube Feeding, Tracheostomy Epilepsy and Save Christmas special (covers multiple disabilities).
Due to the wide variety, these books are a great way to teach people about disabilities. Additionally, more disabilities are being added to this list in the future, and the website gives people the opportunity to request a specific disability.
2. The books help reduce the stigma around disabilities.
The more people that are educated about disabilities, the more disabilities become normalized in today's society. Today's children are tomorrow's adults. If they are taught about disabilities early in life, hopefully, there will be a more inclusive future for those in the disability community.
3. Children with disabilities have the opportunity to see themselves represented in literature.
When I was growing up, I rarely saw myself represented in the books the I read. I would get super excited whenever I saw a character with a disability in something I was reading. Seeing a character with the same disability is very encouraging to a young child.
Additionally, seeing their disability represented at a young age can help children develop an early sense of disability pride and better understand their disability.
By having these books on your bookshelf, you support a non-profit book series that is working to educate the public about various disabilities to help reduce the stigma around them. Additionally, these books are helping to foster a sense of disability pride in the next generation of the disability community.
To support "The Abilities in Me" or read the books for yourself visit www.theabilitiesinme.com.
