Facing disability for the first time can be overwhelming, but books offer valuable insights and guidance. We’re creating a list of resources to help you understand and navigate this challenge effectively.
This initiative is powered by volunteers. We encourage people to recommend books on disability in any language, contribute reviews, helping a wider audience benefit from these resources.
Title: Boldly Belong
Author: Julie Harris
Category: Non-Fiction
Review of the book: I’m so stirred to share a truly remarkable book with you—Boldly Belong: The Power of Being YOU in a Disabling Society by Julie Harris. (Though I know this book or Julie Harris doesn’t need any promotion by me, it is just an admiration post.)
This book takes us to an empowering journey through self-advocacy, self-acceptance, and how deeply disability stigma can shape our sense of identity.
Julie beautifully navigates those complicated emotions like shame, guilt, and the struggle to feel authentic and truly belong in a society that often feels excluding.
What makes Boldly Belong stand out is how it tackles the internalized ableism many people with disabilities face. It forces us to confront the narratives we’ve absorbed about ourselves while offering a roadmap to find strength, pride, and power in who we are.
Julie doesn’t shy away from the hard truths about how society can disable us. But through her thoughtful approach, she gently guides us toward embracing every part of ourselves—showing us that belonging starts from within.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of societal expectations or struggled to navigate your own identity in a world that demands conformity, this book is a must-read.
Highly recommend it for anyone ready to explore the power of self-advocacy and to those wanting to better understand the emotional complexities that come with disability.
Grab your copy, and let’s continue the conversation about what it truly means to belong!
Review by Puneet Singh Singhal
Co Founder, Billion Strong,
Curator, Green Disability
Title: Challenging the story
Author: David Jareb
Category: Non-Fiction
Overview of the book: Challenging the story by David Jareb is a practical and simple approach to bringing the best version of themselves in neurodivergent children. The book offers practical and simple approaches to help neurodivergent children become their best selves with the right guidance and support. By creating a positive and nurturing environment and embracing empathy, children with behavioural problems can grow and flourish. The book’s central theme revolves around transforming children with behavioural issues to bring out the best in them.
It tells the story of a teacher named Jenny, who has to handle three children with different sets of behaviours – Jesse, Emma, and Hendry. Jenny almost wants to give up teaching until she meets Mrs. Hoo, an expert at handling neurodivergent children. Jenny is greatly inspired by Mrs Hoo and follows her methods of being a part of the child’s journey, leading to great results.
The narrative is simple, and the book is a must-read for all those working with children whose behaviours are triggered by external factors. The illustrations are excellent, and the workbooks at the end of each chapter help bring about greater clarity in the given approaches. For those who cannot read long stories, there is a one-line summary at the end of each chapter followed by a reflection point.
The book’s reach should not be restricted to only an English-speaking audience, and it should be translated into all languages across the globe.
Overview contributed by Sowmya Simhan
Title: The Invisible Majority, India’s Abled Disabled
Author: C.K.Meena and V R Ferose
Category: Non-Fiction
Overview of the book:
“The Invisible Majority” by C.K. Meena and V.R. Ferose is a book that thoroughly explores every aspect of the lives of people with disabilities, interspersing their in-depth analysis with real-life stories of triumph over adversity.
When you’re dealing with a challenge, discovering others who face similar struggles can provide comfort and a sense of connection. This book offers that same reassurance by highlighting how others confronted and managed similar issues.
Life of a person with a disability goes through various stages of life, each with its unique challenges, unanswered questions, unspoken issues, and unresolved problems. This book delves deeply into these issues, offering insight into how individuals have coped with them. While it does not provide specific solutions, it sheds light on real-life experiences and case studies that readers can find inspiring. The authors have met a host of people from the disability sector and the book is based on real life experience. Whether it’s the life of Nipun Malhotra or K.S.Vishwas or Shravya, each is an inspiration of how persons with diverse disability from diverse socio economic background have triumphed their disability.
It’s a must-read for young parents who are still coming to terms with the reality of their child’s condition.
Overview contributed by Sowmya Simhan
