This is a great manual for anyone wanting to confront their own ableism. The author provides clear instructions and advice in this "disability primer". Emily Ladau breaks down types of disabilities and discusses the ableist attitudes and structures that perpetuate disability discrimination. She challenges the reader to unlearn ableism and work to confront the obstacles that society creates for people with disabilities. She applies her teaching and examples to real world situations and wants everyone to know that disability is not a bad word. Her candid writing style invites the reader in to learn and grow so that we can all get together to rid the world of this particular "ism".

A review in one word: brilliant! Emily Ladau has created a wonderful, accessible resource. DEMYSTIFYING DISABILITY is a short, quick, easy-to-consume nonfiction piece all about Disability. Whether you are a first-timer researching about disability, or a veteran; disabled or non-disabled, there is something for everyone in this book. Don’t be scared that this will be a dense read. Ladau successfully uses a strong voice to paint the facts of her statements in a lighthearted, easy-to-digest way. You will not go into this ready to read a 400-page boring textbook from high school, I promise you. This was such an amazing read!! As an Autistic Hispanic trans man, I was very grateful to see Ladau acknowledge that our movement still has a long way to go to fully be inclusive and intersectional.

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau is an essential read for teens to adults who are educating themselves for the first time or furthering their un-learning/re-learning in how to actively be an ally to the disabled community.

I loved Ladau’s writing style. She weaves together her own personal experiences, research, and interviews to provide the most friendly and inclusive as possible handbook about disability.

Demystifying Disability was not my first non-fiction read about disability nor will it be my last. It was well written and left me with much to consider going forward that I wasn’t aware of before. This book is a really great place to start conversations about disability and while it is filled with a lot of information, it did not feel like I was reading a textbook at all.

I would absolutely recommend this book and believe it belongs somewhere within the secondary grades curriculum.

This book offers a perfect introduction into looking at how we treat disability and how the world in constructed in the way of non-disabled people in a really easy to follow and light-hearted way.

There’s six sections all taking a swift look at different aspects of disability from the language we use around it to how it depicted in the media and a swift history of disability in the US. Every part was really enlightening and made me reflect on perhaps how in the past I’ve acted around disabled people and what going forward I can better my interactions. I did like the examination of Allyship in the final chapter as well and is “helping” the best way to put it or is collaboration the better outlook to be offering.

All in all, this book is a must-read for all who are trying to better understand disability. It’s easy to read, covers a breadth of topics without verging into bottom, and it’s a whistle stop tour meant to give you a basis to jolt you into research further with the additional resources at the end. For anyone who considers themselves a disabled ally no matter how good you perceive yourself to be, there’s something to learn in this book.

This is a much needed book, educating nondisabled people in how to relate to and treat, disabled people with greater respect and decent humanity. Emily Ladau, the author, is a disabled person. She really would like us to know these basics and I really appreciate her candid, almost, "in your face" approach to her informing. We do need to be jolted out of our patronizing, hurtful ways, even if we have been unintentional in causing offense and embarassment to the disabled we meet in any given day or way.

Ladau's do's and don't's have been very helpful in regards to which terminology is better; awareness of how ableist a nondisabled person can be; of creating more accessibility for the disabled people; to learn to respect and see each person, as a person and not as their disability, although that does need to be taken into account; and so on. I have certainly gleaned a lot to cogitate upon and to "do better" by putting it into practice for the long-haul.

Included in this book are lists of books, films, online videos, and hashtags. These resource suggestions, aid in the instruction of the rights and treatment of the disabled. Understanding leads to insight which leads to better response as a way of life. Ladau tells of the podcast she co-hosts which furthers this awareness and is another way to learn more. A helpful index of key words used finishes up the addenda.

~Eunice C. Reviewer/Blogger~

August 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.

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Having a disability myself, I have been on the hunt for more fiction and non-fiction that brings light to disability. I found out about this book through Instagram and knew I needed to read it, and was luck enough to receive an eARC.

The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is very readable. It is easy to understand and straightforward in how it approaches topics. As a person with a disability, none of the content was new to me, but I think it would be valuable for those wanting to learn. It covers a wide range of topics and in many ways, leaves no questions unanswered, or provides direction to resources.

This will be added to my own resources to share with others when they come to me with questions or asking for information and resources.

I appreciated how Ladau approached topics in a positive and hopeful way, providing guidance rather than reprimanding. Though I know many of us are tired of having to do the work for others.

5 stars

Readers of this text will find exactly what Landau promises: education but not in the notoriously boring style of a textbook. Through her own experiences and extensive research and interviews of others, Landau provides a well-rounded exploration that, as the title suggests, demystifies disability primarily for those who are not disabled.

Landau covers an array of subtopics here, but my favorites are the conversation about ableist language and examples of what to do and not do when interacting with disabled folks. After reading the section on language, I immediately found myself making a concerted effort to eliminate a couple of words from my vocabulary. While I know these words have unsavory roots, they are so profuse in my language and in language I hear every day that I hadn't even considered the larger implications. In addition to working to alter my own language, thinking about this section has led me into some already provocative (in a good way) conversations about how we can be more mindful of the language we use in general.

It's disturbing but helpful to hear about the experiences that various disabled folks - Emily included - have had with generally well intentioned individuals. There's a strong variety of examples, settings, and circumstances, and while some of the instances are particularly painful or cringey, that's the point: not to look away but to learn and behave accordingly.

As a person who not only works in higher education but who also specifically works in equity and inclusion, it is especially important to me to keep learning and improving, and this book is a welcome addition to that effort. I do think some folks who are a bit more aware of these issues will find some sections more rudimentary than needed, but the vast majority of readers will discover a wealth of helpful resources and info, and even the most engaged folks will come away with useful points and tips. I recommend this one for literally everybody.

Such a beautiful and lovingly made book. Demistifying Disability is a truly wonderful effort by Ladau to educate others on the reality of disability and disabled peoples. I think this should be required reading!

I cannot recommend this book enough and fully intend to include it as required reading for some of the courses I teach. Demystifying Disability is a welcoming, accessible guide to learning more about the world's largest minority, people with disabilities. I'm not sure how she does it but this book seems as relevant to someone with little to no experience with a disability as it is to someone who both lives and studies disability (me!). I love the way Emily adds dashes of personal stories along with practical strategies. She doesn't overlook intersectionality and disability and also takes on common stereotypes. This book could be read together as a family with children. It's truly useful for people of all ages. It's also a quick read but far from superficial. Even if you are only touching on disability-perhaps as someone planning an upcoming event with a diverse audience-this handbook is a must-have. You'll want it on your shelf so go ahead and pre-order now.

This book is a wonderful primer for all ages to learn about disabilities and the stigmas that we attach to them. I recommend this for anyone who wants to re-examine the way that they view the world.

Emily Ladau has written a perfect introductory book for anyone wanting to better understand the needs and experiences of the disability community. The content is easy to follow and uses clear, every day language making it well suited for teens and children alike. It ranges from what I would hope is somewhat self evident advice ("don't ask invasive questions about a stranger's disability") to informative, detailed information about accessibility in public spaces. The particular strength of "Demystifying Disability" is the incredible range and diversity of voices included. Emily Ladau is clearly active in the disability community and wants to introduce the reader to all of her friends. This allows for a variety of forms of disability to be represented and explored. The resource list at the end of the book is particularly helpful and extends learning beyond the pages of the book. I'm excited for this book to be released so that I can start recommending it to friends!

I was not born with a real disability, nor did I sustain injuries causing visible or invisible disabilities related to GSW/MVA/IED. I'm just an old retired nurse with arthritis and a few other things who used to work head trauma and other rehabs. I've been around enough to value everything the author has to say about those who do have real disabilities whether visible or invisible and the injustices and stupidities that others have subjected them to. This book needs to be in curricula, doctor's offices, libraries, and homes everywhere while we all advocate for inclusiveness and honest sensitivity. This was just the poke I needed to stop complaining and DO something about the lack of entry/egress on Amtrak (the ride is a marvelous, but getting in/out of the car is %). Planning to get a copy for my local library as well!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

I would like to thank the publisher of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley.
I self-identity as a woman with chronic pain and depression and I consider myself disabled. This book is a brilliant, engaging, practical and informative book on disabilities. I would recommend this read to educators, parents and adults who want to be socially conscious citizens and allies. It's the perfect, introductory, non-fiction book on disabilities.

An introduction to respect, understand and be an ally to people with disabilities. From the vocabulary to use to the 'etiquette' of being around a person with a disability. The book also touched upon ableism and how to react to it.
The author was very clear and repeated a lot of times that this book is an introduction and not a complete guide because she's only one person so she can't represent the whole disabled experience. She links a lot of ressources we can use to further educate ourselves wich is awesome (there are not only books!). I also love how she used a lot of personal experiences (from her as well as from other people she talked to or read about) as examples. Of course, because she's a wheelchair user, her examples were often about this but she also tried to include a diversity of experiences.

So for me it was a bit too introductory but the author warned me at the beginning! I think her words were always wisely chosen and even though it was stuff I already knew for the most part, it was good to have it solidified AND put in perspective too!

As soon as I found this on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it. I liked the definitions of disability from interviewees and the fact that one of the people is someone I know from an online disability community.

I have Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus and four visual impairments and have so many experiences of different treatment from different people throughout my life.

I have experienced both ignorance and acceptance from people and life has been, and still is, a constant fight for inclusion.

I know so many people with disabilities will identify with me on this.

15% of the world's population has some type of disability.

I don't need disability to be demystified for me as I live with my disabilities every day but this is exactly the type of book that I know could help many people who need to know more about the world of disability and what those of us with disabilities are constantly up against.

Demystifying Disability will be good for those who think they "know it all" as they live with, or know, people with a disability. I believe everyone can learn more.

Like Emily Ladau, I am a wheelchair user and I identified with her experiences. I also learnt about her disability.

Another part of this book that I loved was her discussion of visible versus invisible disabilities, since I have both. My glasses and wheelchair are a marker of my visual disabilities, as are my scars from my shunt surgeries for hydrocephalus.

However, unless I let people know I have hydrocephalus, let them know what it is and how it affects me, they have no idea that I have it or how serious it is.

Likewise with my glasses. I have them but people cannot tell how strong my prescription is or that they only allow me to "see" the very little I can and that they don't correct my visual difficulties, that nothing will. I embrace all these parts of me and encourage those who do not to do so and for others with disabilities to embrace their own uniqueness.

Demystifying Disability is a friendly but firm nudge in the right direction for people who think the world is accepting of people with disabilities.

It will challenge your perception of disability whether you have a disability or not, and I hope it will go a long way in producing more real change in society.

I think, and hope, it is the kind of book that will let people know that they shouldn't judge people based on what they "think" a person with a certain disability will look, or move, like.

I sincerely wish I could have had access to this book when I was growing up, as I think it will have gone a long way in shaping people's attitudes.

The message this book gives is that all of us with disabilities should love ourselves as we are and that everyone can learn something, no matter how much they think they know.

Because we can all keep learning.

Thanks to Emily Ladau for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC!
This was a nice overview about disability for a general audience. I think it could work well for teens, but many adults would benefit from reading it as well.

This book is most effective when discussing topics like disability etiquette, how to talk about disability, recognizing and addressing ableism, and portrayals of disability in the media. Here, Ladau is able to pull in her own anecdotes and those of many other disabled activists, and her strong convictions enable her to carve her own space among other basic overviews of disability. Ladau effectively acknowledges that she cannot speak for all disabled people, clarifying her specific lens as a physically disabled, straight, white, Jewish, cisgender woman. She includes quotes from many BIPOC & queer disabled people, as well as people with different types of disabilities from her own, to help emphasize the variety of viewpoints and lived experiences that exist within the disabled community. She is clear that while she can give broad recommendations for how to speak and think about disability, each disabled person will have their own opinions, and can clarify their own preferences about terminology, boundaries, etc.

I found chapter 3 (“An (Incomplete) Overview of Disability History”) to be the least engaging. The whole chapter came across like she just felt obligated to include the subject. In an attempt to be approachable, Ladau starts by asking the reader not to abandon the book and promising that it won’t be boring. This is a pretty odd and ineffective way to introduce a topic. Then, her quite brief summary of U.S. disability history moved through events so quickly that I couldn’t see it being particularly useful to someone with no background information. It felt like the same care and effort was not put into this chapter, and it became unclear why it was even included.

Demystifying Disability is a the book we have all needed for a long time. It is a easy to read (complete with dyslexia and Irlen syndrome friendly font) book split into small easy to follow sections informing the reader how to approach the subject of variety of disabilities, how to assist someone in need and how to educate others upon the topic. I personally loved how the author tried to use examples from a huge variety of disabilities (many iv not heard of, and now learnt about) and tried to encompass examples from across the globe even though the majority of there own experiences are within America. I have not read much literature about that it’s like to live with a disability outside of the UK, and I now feel very grateful for the support we have in place (although not perfect), it has encouraged me to try and increase my knowledge of the wider world and how I can help support my peers abroad. I have not previously read any other books from this author, but following on from this one I will be looking into purchasing the whole collection.

This book was a god send! Great language and support in navigating the disability space. A lot of personal perspectives and experiences are baked into the book - thankfully!! Emily is an amazing thought leader and I was waiting for this book. A great book for anyone wanting to know how to be an ally! Don't tell us you didn't know when a resource like this exists.

Demystify Disability: what to know, what to say, and how to be an ally by @emilyladau has been a really great read.
I’ve learned a lot as a disabled person from the UK about ableism specifically in America, I now just wish there was a book like this for every country in the world so we can all understand our homelands’ reaction to disability better. Obviously a lot of the points made are universal, there’s a lot of useful information and tips for either newly disabled or nondisabled people looking to be better allies.
It’s a pretty accessible read, the words are too big and complicated, and I really loved the history lesson as this is something I want to learn more about (hence I wish there was a UK version, I know next to nothing about disability history in the UK)
This book isn’t out until September 2021, but I highly recommend you add this to your wish lists. There has been a clear effort made to include disability in all intersections, it is not just white straight cis disabled voices in this book and actually a few quotes from one of my favourite activists and creators are included @crutches_and_spice and the lovely @andrewgurza_
Also the original arc I received from #NetGalley was ironically inaccessible and had a huge stamp across every page, I brought this up to the author on Twitter and it was eventually changed. :)
I personally really loved the section on disability in media as someone who want(ed/s) to be an actor and does want to be a performer and creator of other kids, this was deeply personal and all the tropes and responses I’ve heard (as a very small early stages actor) were listed and I hope more people will at least read this book before they bulldoze on with their ableist depictions of disabled people (a recent one I saw was a man finds out he has a terminal illness and commits s u i c i d e as to not be a burden on his girlfriend 🤢)
There’s also a super handy conclusion for people trying to be better allies with very simple steps to improve. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I've been a big fan of Emily Ladau for a few years now so I was very excited when I found out she was writing a book. "Demystifying Disability" is a quick read that combines information, resources, and personal stories from the author and other people in the disability community that will help readers unpack their own internalized ableism and really learn about disability.

Throughout this book, Emily incorporates some of her own perspectives and experiences, and even the way her feelings and opinions have shifted over the years. The author acknowledging that we’re all constantly learning and evolving is part of what makes this book such a great tool for learning about disabilities. It’s welcoming for readers, whether they are new to learning about disability or are disabled themselves. By breaking down topics and explaining them in a really straightforward, accessible way, Emily gives readers the tools to continue educating themselves even after they've finished reading.

I specifically loved that Emily explored both Identity Fist Language and Person First Language. She also gave examples of ableism and provided readers with a guide of words/terms to avoid and what to say instead. While I’ll admit I was hoping “deformed” would’ve been on the list of words to avoid, I recognize that this book isn’t meant to be focused on one type disability and that's okay.

Overall, this book is a super helpful guide and overview. It is going to change people’s understanding of disability and help readers unpack their own assumptions about what it means to be disabled. It should be required reading for everyone.