Common Portrayals of Persons with Disabilities

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters report found that disabled “individuals are viewed as the objects of pity and depicted as having the same attributes and characteristics no matter what the disability may be.” Similarly, the website Media and Disability, an organization advocating for broader representation of people with disabilities, points out that “disabled people, when they feature at all, continue to be all too often portrayed as either remarkable and heroic, or dependent victims.” Not only are people with disabilities stereotyped, the full range of disabilities is not reflected in media portrayals. Victim Perhaps the most common stereotype of persons with disabilities is the victim, a character who is presented as a helpless object of pity or sympathy. The victim stereotype may also be used for comedy, using characters’ disabilities – such as Mister Magoo’s blindness or Forrest Gump’s intellectual disability – to place them in humorous situations. Hero Villain Related: Module 6

Introduction to Disability Terminology Language is complicated. Language relating to marginalized groups, doubly so. Using the wrong term can cause individual harm and perpetuate oppression on a larger scale. Much of our everyday language is casually ableist, and this translates to ableist language in novels, whether the novel features disabled characters or not. Sometimes, these words are intentionally included to make a point. Other times, the author uses them unthinkingly, perhaps not even aware that certain terms are ableist in the first place. With this article, we don’t want to tell authors what to do. To help you make an informed decision, though, we wanted to point out a few things to keep in mind, whether it’s regarding straight-up ableist language or simply what terminology to use to refer to your disabled character. Please note that this article will include the uncensored use of many different kinds of ableist language and slurs, as well as example sentences they might be used in. “With a disability” or “disabled”?

Why You Should Read African-American Literature Year-Round Black History Month is important for many reasons. It’s important because of how widespread and systematic racism is, even in 2018, and it’s important simply because black history is American history. A fantastic way to celebrate the month is to read books written by African-American authors, though the novels don’t need to leave your to-be-read (TBR) list when March comes around. Many African-American penned stories have just as much literary merit as their canonical counterparts, but often go overlooked due to the systemic tendency to downplay the academic or artistic value of cultural commodities produced by minority figures. By choosing to read African-American literature year-round, readers are fighting the underrepresentation of black people in literature. In children’s literature, less than 8 percent of books published in 2015 were written by or about African-American people, according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. Angie Thomas Sharon Draper Jason Reynolds

Disabilities Book List A Black Kid In A Hoodie Brings Tidings Of Comfort And Joy 20 Native American Authors You Need to Read November is Native American Heritage Month, a celebration meant to give recognition to the significant contribution the native peoples have made to the history, culture, and growth of the United States. One way to get into the spirit of things is by reading works by some of the greatest Native American authors from the past century. Some of their works will shed light on activism, culture, and history, some expose the challenges of living on reservations or establishing an identity in the modern world, and all are beautiful, well-written pieces of poetry, prose, and non-fiction that are excellent reads, regardless of the heritage of their authors. This list touches on just a few of the amazing Native American authors out there and can be a great starting point for those wanting to learn more throughout this month and the rest of the year.

'Under The Gaydar' YA Novels Are Meant For Teens Who Can't Be Open About Their Sexuality — And They're Just As Necessary As Ever Being a teenager is hard. Being an LGBTQ teen is even harder, especially if you're a POC or another marginalization. Although LGBTQ teens (and the community at large) have more acceptance legally and socially than ever before, there is still a significant portion of queer youth being left behind. According to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, 42 percent of LGBTQ youth in America reported that they live in communities that are unaccepting of their sexualities. Although many people are out and proud in the United States, there are some for whom openness is a luxury they can’t afford. Flying under the radar — or, more appropriately, "under the gaydar" — is essential for many teens. As Mackenzi Lee, author of the Stonewall Honor book The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, puts it, it's the "golden age of queer YA." Proxy by Alex London, $8, Amazon But where does this leave the outliers? Under the gaydar books can be found, as long as you know where to look.

Reading LGBTQ-Inclusive Children’s Books in Schools Download PDF Click here for WS Boolists with Great Diverse Books Before Reading A Book to Your Class First, think about whether or not reading an LGBTQ-inclusive book is the place to start in developing a welcoming school or do you need to lay more groundwork in your school community. Consider whether you will have support from your school’s administration if parental concerns arise regarding LGBTQ topics or gender roles. Prepare yourself to answer students' questions. LGBTQ-Inclusive Children’s Books One way to make children feel welcome in your classroom and school is to ensure that all kinds of families are portrayed in the books that are available in the classroom and in the library. It is important for children to see their reality reflected to them through the literature that is available and used in classrooms. It is also important for all students to understand that families are unique while at the same time they share many common values, beliefs and traditions.

The Ultimate LGBT Pride Book List | Penguin Random House Free ground shipping on orders over $20 Skip to Main Content (Press Enter) Before you go... Check Out The Bestselling Books of All Time See the List Fall Must-Reads Books Kids Popular Authors & Events Gifts & Deals Audio Become a Member Read Write Think -Story Mapping ReadWriteThink couldn't publish all of this great content without literacy experts to write and review for us. If you've got lessons plans, videos, activities, or other ideas you'd like to contribute, we'd love to hear from you. More Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals. More Teacher Resources by Grade Your students can save their work with Student Interactives. More Home › Classroom Resources › Lesson Plans Lesson Plan Overview Featured Resources From Theory to Practice This lesson can be used after the reading of Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. back to top Story Mapping: Students will use this interactive tool to analyze the characters, setting, conflict, and resolution in the story. Barton, J. & Sawyer, D.M. (2003). Talking, writing, and drawing help readers reflect about what they've read and share their insights with others.