Analyzing Representations of Individuals with Disabilities in Picture Books

Critical Literacy

A stance foregrounding justice and designed to challenge unequal power dynamics.

Close Reading

A method to support students in engaging in critical literacy practices by deeply examining specific aspects of a text across multiple instructional lessons.

Disability Representation in Children’s Literature

Often absent, negative, or stereotypical, but can be improved by selecting texts that promote inclusive thinking and discussions.

Nuanced Portraits of Individuals with Disabilities

Representations of individuals with disabilities as whole, rounded individuals living their everyday lives, fostering rich discussion.

Close Reading with a Critical Literacy Stance

Gives readers the tools to uncover messages about disability explicitly or implicitly sent through picture books, challenging stereotypes.

Stereotypes of Disability

Challenged through consistent engagement in close reading with a critical literacy stance, encouraging students to question representations in texts, media, and the world.

Text Selection

Teachers should evaluate representations of disabilities, seeking out positive examples and discussing problematic representations to help students identify stereotypes.

Reader's Perspective

Acknowledging readers' prior experiences and sociocultural contexts in close reading, rather than focusing solely on 'what lies within the

Analyzing Representations of Individuals with Disabilities in Picture Books

Using a critical literacy stance encourages students to challenge disability stereotypes in texts, media, and interactions.

Critical Literacy

A stance foregrounding justice and designed to challenge unequal power dynamics

Analyzing Representations of Individuals with Disabilities in Picture Books

Using a critical literacy stance encourages students to challenge disability stereotypes in texts, media, and interactions.

Critical Literacy

A stance foregrounding justice and designed to challenge unequal power dynamics

Close Reading

A method to support students in engaging in critical literacy practices by deeply examining specific aspects of a text across multiple instructional lessons.

Critical Literacy

A stance foregrounding justice and designed to challenge unequal power dynamics by understanding that anything constructed through language is informed by perspectives and ideological beliefs.