The Anti-Ableist Manifesto is a comprehensive and intersectional review of the past, present, and future of disability justice and pride.

Tiffany Yu takes readers through 34 thematic chapters, each of which focusing on a tenet of the manifesto. The chapters scaffold across three sections: Anti-Ableism and You, Anti-Ableism and Your Community, and Anti-Ableism and Societal Change. Akin to the educational and contemplative style of Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto is a workbook holding impactful lessons and examples, punctuated by questions for reflection at each chapter’s close. Yu includes a wide variety of quotes and perspectives from members of the disability community, reinforcing the truth that “‘we are not a monolith”.

While the cadence of the book and its three sections were intentionally crafted for maximum impact, readers could turn to the table of contents and choose any chapter of their liking to read; they would still receive a digestible, thought-provoking, and meaningful lesson on anti-ableism, including pointers on how to bring this practice into their daily lives.

I’ve worked with the disability community for over 10 years; The Anti-Ableist Manifesto will certainly be my go-to resource to share with friends, colleagues, and fellow advocates looking to foster change within themselves and fight for disability justice in our communities and world at large.

4.25 stars

In this fast-paced, globally interconnected world, it can sometimes feel difficult or overwhelming to keep track of what's considered politically correct and what type of modern language we are to use when dealing with big topics like disability inclusivity. Thankfully, this book is so helpful because it's laid out in-depth and so clearly in regards to helping guide people how to be, not just pro- disability and inclusivity, but fully anti-ableist in our thinking and living. The author includes many personal stories, as well as raw, revealing stories from activists, educators, authors, and other disability advocates to round out the content which helps to inform as well as educate.

In each chapter there are so many questions for reflection to help you determine where you are in your anti-ableist learning journey. Reading through it is painfully evident that there is SO MUCH we need to unlearn due to our current society's view of people with disabilities and how we refer to people maintaining their own space in the world. Even as someone living with several invisible illnesses myself, I can admit that I'm occasionally guilty of the 'old ways' of ableist thinking and speaking in regards to disabilities. This book is now a powerful tool in my toolbelt of living more inclusively and authentically.

This book is so dense with information, you may end up wanting to reread and bookmark sections that you want to go back to time and time again. I found myself referring back to different chapters to reflect and understand the next sections multiple times. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley, author Tiffany Yu and Hachette Books for giving me access to a free digital advanced readers copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

I elected to read this as a part of my ongoing journey to unlearn ableism and increase my contribution towards creating a more inclusive future for all. Compared to other books with similar purposes, I found Tiffany Yu's to be very readable and easy to follow. It covers some basic issues I've come across before, but I did not find her tone patronizing but rather enthusiastic. I especially liked the concrete tips she had about replacing ableist language we so commonly overlook and what it takes to make a space/event truly accessible. Judging from this book, I can tell she must be really good at her work!

The Anti-Ableist Manifesto is an extremely informative thought-provoking book laid out in a “Me, We, Us” format to convey the important message that individual action can lead to collective change. The author is a powerful advocate for disability rights, making it clear that we can all play our part to be less ableist and it is society’s views that impacts those with disabilities. In fact, I learned that the World Health Organization states that “disability results from the interaction between individuals with a health condition, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and depression, with personal and environmental factors, including negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social support.”

I have been involved in the disability arena for over 30 years, but this book really made me think about the language I use, including old-fashioned idioms. Tiffany Yu was able to put a name to what is so often experienced, internalized ableism as a form of internalized oppression, as some people with disabilities internalize the negative messages and beliefs perpetuated by society. I have seen first-hand how those messages can result in self-hatred, low self-esteem and a lack of self-worth that can take years to try to overcome.

The book was well-written in short chapters, of which there are many, that are easy to digest. It took me longer to read than I thought it would, but it is well laid-out and it is possible to read only those chapters that might be of interest, although I would recommend trying to read the entire book. Many chapters include suggestions on actions the reader can take, and they all end with reflection questions. I did feel that the book, and in particular the reflection questions, became a little repetitive.

The book also discusses many resources that I was not aware of, including her own organization, Diversability. While the book clearly makes mention of invisible disabilities, it is definitely geared toward those with more visible and physical disabilities. It is comprehensive, but I wish it had included more information and resources for those with learning differences and mental health challenges.

Thank you to NetGalley and HachetteGo for the eARC of this important book. I would highly recommend to anyone to understand our own internal biases and how we perpetuate those negative stereotypes of those with disabilities. There are easy actions we can all take to become anti-ableist.

An anti-ableist manifesto is certainly what the world needs, and Yu’s book is a phenomenal first step in making this happen. Accessible and straightforward, Yu breaks down various ways that ableism manifests itself and how we can work to combat it.

Laid out in a "me, we, us" format, the book provides an entry into the world of disability for those completely unaware of the world around them and for those with some idea about the work that needs to be done. The general ideas and concepts in this book were very relatable to previous books I have read related to racism. And that really makes sense! At the end of each chapter are suggestions and well as reflective questions for the reader to consider. I liked some of my answers, disliked some of my answers, but grew from all the introspection. I chose to read this book for personal reasons, as my son has been using a wheelchair and other assistive devices for the past year and a half. But I am glad I read it and think others not in the same situation as myself should read it as well. I have noticed myself doing an ADA sweep when we go to new places, and have learned to call ahead to either confirm accessibility or to make specific requests. While I've done this specifically for my son, I am glad to think that this will improve access for everyone. I took my time reading this book and reflecting on the information provided. I will return to it frequently for a refresher, as I do with many of my anti-racism books.

It is a great introductory book on ableism and how we can/need to do better as a society. The author is incredibly passionate about advocating for a more inclusive future. It is a must-read for everyone and should be required reading in school!

Ableism is definitely something we don't talk about enough. This is a great primer on what is wrong with how society has been set up and what you can do to make the world more accessible.

A well-done explanation of Ableism, which can and should be passed around to anyone who needs a primer on the subject. I do wish it could have talked more about invisible disabilities, but it’s probably unrealistic for one book on so vast a subject to possibly cover every possible aspect of a matter. So much of this book is centered around the author’s personal experiences and since her disabilities are more of the visible kind, it makes sense that’s what she’d focus on. I’d probably do something similar if I were to write about my own experiences; since I don’t have a visible disability, I’d focus more on invisible ones because that’s where my personal experiences lie.

Regardless, it’s still a good book and really, we need more books about disability and fighting against ableism, no matter how visible or invisible a disability may be. Invisible or visible, people with disabilities need to work together and take care of each other.

A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!

Yu brilliantly breaks down the concept of anti-ableism by making it deeply personal, inviting readers—disabled and non-disabled alike—on a journey of self-reflection and understanding. As a disabled person, I found immense value in her words, as she provided insights that made me reflect on my own advocacy, not just from the perspective of my own disability but with a broader view of inclusivity for all disabilities.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the reflection questions at the end of each chapter. These prompted me to critically think about my advocacy work and explore ways to expand my understanding of the diverse experiences within the disabled community. Yu masterfully encourages a thoughtful and empathetic approach to dismantling ableism, making the book accessible and thought-provoking.

I cannot recommend The Anti-Ableist Manifesto enough, and I’m eagerly waiting to purchase a physical copy for my bookshelf. This book has the potential to reshape how we think about disability and advocacy, making it a valuable read for anyone committed to inclusivity and equity.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6550453765

In this comprehensive guide, Tiffany offers a valuable resource for allies supporting individuals with disabilities. The book provides clear definitions and context for complex topics in accessible language and concise segments. One of its standout features is the inclusion of actionable steps and practical ideas, ensuring readers have a clear path forward in their allyship journey.

As a disability advocate, I found the concept of "accessibility intimacy" particularly enlightening. Discovering precise terminology to articulate personal experiences is essential for both professional and personal growth. I am eager to facilitate a book club discussion on this work and utilize the reflection questions to foster my own development and that of my community.

This book is an essential addition to any collection focused on equity, disability, and allyship.

A beautiful, important, and necessary book that everyone should read. I found myself taking notes as I was reading and learning so much throughout this book. A must read for any and everybody.

I first saw mention of "The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World" by Tiffany Yu on LinkedIn and immediately wanted to read it.

On her "About" section of her LinkedIn profile, author Tiffany Yu describes her work as "building and funding the things I wished existed when I was younger." Yu is doing just that, whether it is through Ted X talks or as the founder and CEO of Diversability, a Disabled-led organization seeking to elevate Disability pride.

The "Anti-Ableist Manifesto" is, no pun intended, an accessible read for Disabled folks looking to address internalized ableism as well as non-disabled folks who are hoping to learn how to be an accomplice to the disability rights movement.

Yu uses an overarching theme of "Me, We, Us" throughout the book, reminding readers that Disabled and non-disabled folks' liberation is bound up with each other, to paraphrase Austrailian Aboriginal activist Lilla Watson. Yu shares personal life experiences alongside clear suggestions for how to interrupt ableism wherever we encounter it. She amplifies other Disabled activists and advocates throughout the book, which I love as readers not familiar with those individuals may be inspired to know more about them as well.

I also love how Yu talks about more personal and individual topics like using inclusive language along with larger systemic topics like economic self-sufficiency for Disabled people. Additionally, since the personal is political, Yu also encourages readers to get involved in advocacy with lawmakers as well as smaller/local systems. This is an often overlooked area for disability pride and inclusion.

"The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World" by Tiffany Yu is a great read for those new to the concept of anti-ableism as well as those who have been in the trenches for some time.

One takeaway was the idea of accessibility as an act of love and respect for all people. Yu provides plentiful examples for businesses and individuals to implement, from calling ahead and reviewing restaurants to spread information about accessibility, to having businesses offer ergonomic consultations. This is an excellent read for people of all backgrounds and contexts, and I would recommend it for any library collection.