August 1, 2021
This volume from disability rights activist Ladau (host of the podcast The Accessible Stall; editor in chief of Rooted in Rights blog) isn't a textbook on disability, but rather a guide to having real conversations about it. The author, who was born with Larsen syndrome and uses a wheelchair, emphasizes that disability is deeply personal and there is no singular experience. Alongside Ladau's experience of physical, hearing, and mental disability, the book includes stories from queer and/or BIPOC disabled people, who offer their own insight on having multiple marginalized identities or using mobility aids. Ladau seamlessly shifts between the personal and the sociological in brief, engaging chapters on disability etiquette and history up to the present day, including the passage of the ADA, sub-movements within disability communities, and the emotional tolls of ableism and inaccessibility, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ladau's writing particularly shines when she discusses the fear and confusion that the words "disability" and "disabled" can evoke. What sets this book apart is Ladau's thoughtful argument that allyship is a journey, not a destination. VERDICT Ladau has written an essential resource that readers can refer to at any time, browsing chapters individually or reading straight through. A must for libraries and fans of Disability Visibility, by Alice Wong.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal
Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from September 1, 2021
Ladau is a prominent disability rights activist, writer, speaker and co-host of "The Accessible Stall," a podcast dedicated to disability issues. Her timely guide is aimed at nondisabled folks, who can espouse harmful misconceptions about disabled people, however inadvertently. While there has been a societal shift toward more inclusivity, as Landau asserts, we're not quite ""there"" yet in terms of acceptance. Ableism, stereotypes, stigmas, and discrimination toward disabled people continues to be an active problem. She cautions that this book should not be used for those who simply wish to give themselves a gold star or a pat on the back for ""doing the right thing"" or ""being nice to disabled people."" Learning about and understanding experiences outside of a person's own worldview is a commitment and it takes time. Landau has broken the chapters of this book into readable, easily accessible chunks that offer an explanation of what a disability is, terms not to use (and what to say instead), a brief overview of the history of how disabled people have been treated, an explanation of what ableism is (and how to avoid it), a look at media portrayals, and much more. A well-designed, user-friendly educational resource, this straightforward guide belongs on public and school library shelves.
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