Demystifying Disability

Introduction:

Why Do We Need to Demystify Disability?

One billion. More than one billion people around the world are disabled. In fact, we re the world s largest minority. Statistically speaking, there s a good chance this book is relevant to you. To narrow things down a little more, let s do a quick gut check.

Have you ever tried to talk about disability and found yourself flustered over what words to use?

Have you ever shushed your kid for asking what s wrong with a person who was using wheelchair?

Have you ever shared a news story about a disabled person on social media because you felt warm and fuzzy after reading it?

Have you ever compared yourself to someone with a disability to make yourself feel better about your own life?

If your response was yes to any of these, don t stress. I m not here to judge. Consider this book a safe space to learn and find answers to certain questions you might have but aren t sure how to ask.

It s pretty common for the mere mention of the word disability to evoke fear, confusion, and an endless stream of misconceptions. And often, people don t realize their own biases. There s much work yet to be done to change hearts and minds or, at the very least, to get nondisabled people to stop treating disabled people as a weird cross between precious gems and alien creatures. And I am one of the many disabled people who are passionate about doing such work.

So, a little about me: I have multiple disabilities, including a physical disability, a hearing disability, and mental health disabilities. I use a wheelchair because I was born with Larsen syndrome (LS), a joint and muscle disorder that I inherited from my mom, Ellen, who also has it. You might think that our both having LS is a tragedy, but we don t. In my humble opinion, it s pretty fantastic to have someone built into my life who just gets me. But I know my mom didn t always feel this way. When she and my dad, Marc, were considering having a

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 intersectional disability experience. 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 Disability Series of the New York Times. She has served as an expert source on disability issues for outlets including NPR, Vox, Washington Post, and Teen Vogue, and has been featured in a range of press outlets including Newsday, BuzzFeed, CBS News, and U.S. News & World Report.

If being a good ally to disabled people is your goal . . . Ladau s guide is a goldmine. Book Riot

Activist and writer Emily Ladau is a responsible guide and advocate for change, and her book is one that everyone could benefit from reading. BookPage

Emily Ladau provides a welcoming, easy-to-read guide to disability. I highly recommend this book to readers seeking to deepen their understanding of disability and ableism. Haben Girma, human rights lawyer, speaker, and author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law

Demystifying Disability is both comprehensive in its scope and easy to understand. I can t recommend this book enough. Eric Garcia, author of We re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation
 
Demystifying Disability is a generous and approachable companion to the world of disability especially for people who are (for the time being, at least) not disabled. I'll be using it as a reference book for years to come. Ann Friedman, co-author of Big Friendship

Emily Ladau has crafted an absolutely essential guide to understanding disability. In it, she dispels countless myths that surround the disabled experience, while providing practical tips for interacting with disabled people in healthier and more positive ways. Shane Burcaw, author of Laughing at My Nightmare

Demystifying Disability is a powerful reminder that disability is a vast spectrum with a wide range of voices and experiences. Emily Ladau expertly addresses so many of the common issues and pitfalls (and how to learn from them) able-bodied people face when attempting to be supportive of the disability community. I am grateful for this book and Emily s voice. Grace Bonney, author of In the Company of Women

From general disability knowledge, to disability rights, to ableism, to what to say and what not to say, this book will provide everyone with more understanding and empathy (not pity!)