5 Ways to Make your Writing More Disability Inclusive

Writing with disability inclusion in mind is a powerful way to serve your readers and celebrate the diverse and unique experiences of people. It shows that you are providing a safe space for everyone to embrace their authentic selves.

Photo by Ivan Samkov

You are becoming a voice of the voiceless; a mirror of their realities. For the ones who have been sidelined, your writings can be a crucial platform where they feel called up, honored, and seen. Are you ready to be that kind of writer?

Here are five ways to make your writing more disability inclusive. 

1. Use inclusive language

   Language is power and the words you use have the ability to empower and dispower the community you’re writing about. Be sure to do your research on specific jargon and terminologies before using them. Season your language with empathy, not just sympathy. Put aside your biases and preconceived notions. Challenge your boxed ideas about people. Learn how they see things, how they receive words, how they repulse certain concepts that don’t serve them. Because at times, well-meaning advice without a thought doesn't land well to others, especially to those who feel misunderstood and unseen. 

   
   

   Remember, silence can be a language, too. Give space to your character with disability. Make a way to show you’re willing to sit with them, even through the story you’re writing. Maybe, for a time, there is no need for a dialogue. Maybe what they need is a raw moment that shows what they really feel in a certain situation. Balance where you should show and when you should tell. Bring them into the world where they are heard. And speak their words as if they’re the ones who speak. 

2. Be wary of stereotyping

   One of the biggest pitfalls of writing characters with disabilities is the tendency to stereotype them. People with autism aren’t all savants or non-verbal. People with ADHD aren’t just hyperactive. People with trauma have different coping mechanisms and different -roots of trauma. Not all disabilities manifest in people the same way. Moreover, people with disabilities are multi-faceted: They have hobbies, interests, dreams, and goals. Their disability is simply something they have to live with—something that makes their experience of the world completely unique. 

   
   

   Remember, they may be special in some ways, but they’re not less of a person. Treat them as equals, and know their processes. Let them feel that they are valued. That they, too, have something beautiful to offer. Don’t just make them an accessory to the story—allow them to shine. 

3. Educate yourself

   If you’re writing a character with a disability you don’t have, make sure to do your research. Read stories from other authors to see how they wrote about their character with that particular disability. Read studies about people with disabilities.

   
   

   Watch documentaries and movies that properly mirror their reality. Know these things, and let them simmer at the back of your mind, until you can feel a tug in your heart, a burning sensation that will allow you to plunge yourself head first into their own worlds. Only then can you write effectively. And then you can safely ask: What do I have to add to the conversation? 

4. Talk to someone with the disability you’re writing about

   The best source of research is always a person with a disability. Aside from their firsthand experience with disability, ask them about stories they’ve encountered that included their disability and how they felt it was handled. Learn their back stories and their nuanced experiences. A person with visual impairment doesn’t only have difficulty in seeing. Maybe they also have a hard time catching up in school. 

   
   

   Know their struggles, study their ways, and yet, champion their genius. Honor not just the hard times but their special gifts. This will give you important insight on what to do or what not to do when it comes your time to write. 

5. Consult a developmental editor and sensitivity reader

   At the end of the day, nothing beats talking to a professional. A sensitivity reader, as the name suggests, is someone who looks over manuscripts to ensure that sensitive topics are handled with care through language. These readers are either members of marginalized groups or are closely linked to communities who are affected by these topics. On the other hand, a developmental editor is someone who joins in the early stages of writing a manuscript, and helps the writer with plot, structure, and direction.

Representation matters and people with disabilities deserve to see themselves in the stories they read portrayed as complete human beings. Let these tips guide you into writing a story that celebrates how unique the human experience can be.

At themanuscripteditor.com, we make sure that your piece is well-thought-out. Hand your draft to us, and we'll return a more polished manuscript that feels safe for both your readers and you.