Disabled people themselves are usually the most reliable sources on what it’s like to live with a disability. Medical books/websites and accounts from people with disabled loved ones are good secondary sources. Turn researching a given disability, and the tropes associated with it, into a project.
For example, the word “cripple” is considered offensive while words like “amputee” or “person who uses a wheelchair” are more neutral. [2] X Research source While some communities have reached a clear consensus on language (such as deaf people preferring to be called “deaf people” instead of “people with deafness”), other communities have not. Read what these people have to say.
Look for popular hashtags like #ActuallyAutistic or #DeafPride.
The spoon theory[5] X Research source covers how some people need to budget their energy.
The idea that someone with an intellectual or developmental disability is “forever a child” is a misconception. They’ll become adults, even if adulthood looks a little different with a disability, and they’ll gain skills (even if it’s late sometimes). [6] X Research source
See if any people with disabilities would be open to being interviewed. There is no substitute for face-to-face time with real people. If you are polite and clear, many disabled people are willing to offer advice and answer questions. Try asking questions via social media. Remember that disabled people are diverse. No two people are exactly alike (whether it’s two blind people or two people with fetal alcohol syndrome). [7] X Research source Symptoms can vary between individuals.
Most disabled people are quite ordinary: they wake up, eat breakfast, go to work, and live fairly average lives. Portraying disabled people as “beautiful tragedies” ignores the fact that in fact, most people with disabilities are not any more or less tragic or beautiful than anyone else. [9] X Research source
Nonspeaking people and people with intellectual disabilities still have thoughts, regardless of whether they can communicate them clearly. If your disabled character isn’t the main character, that’s fine. You can still attribute thoughts to them, and have the main character recognize what’s going on in their head. (For example, “Lucy visibly relaxed as soon as the Christmas music came on. She loved happy song lyrics, so I kept a playlist of songs with good messages. “)[11] X Research source
Keep in mind that “forced diversity” is not a thing. People can belong to more than one minority group in real life, and chances are, you may even know some people who belong to various minority groups. Not every disabled person is white, male, and/or straight, so there’s no need to make every disabled character in your story reflect these traits. As long as you handle diversity in a respectful way, there is nothing “forced” about it.
Mental illnesses such as depression and psychosis are sometimes possible to recover from completely, with enough time and effort. This often involves a combination of pills and therapy, along with a loving and supportive environment. Some conditions and illnesses have no cures. In this case, the individual’s best outcome is to manage their symptoms and understand their limitations better. Some disabilities, such as deafness and autism, are not “illnesses” but simply conditions. The ideal outcome is to find ways to live comfortably and accommodate the disability. Recovery isn’t always permanent. In some conditions (such as mental illnesses), it’s possible to recover, be okay for a while, and then relapse—sometimes for no obvious reason.
Don’t speculate that real-life disabilities are caused by mystical means or by things you personally dislike (such as pollution, vaccines, or technology). These are real people. Some “therapies” are actually scams. Avoid endorsing a therapy without checking whether experts endorse it or whether there are stories of danger (such as people being traumatized or physically harmed).
Assessments may be stricter if the organization is disability-unfriendly or wary of spending money. This means that people with disabilities or their parents, who may already be overtaxed, may have to jump through a lot of hoops. Sometimes disabled people are required to undergo assessments. They may or may not know that you are supposed to fill out forms describing how you are on a “bad” day, not a good day. People may be re-assessed every year, even if the disability is lifelong. These assessments may be overly strict, with the possible result of turning away people who truly need help. Faking a disability for accommodations would actually take a ton of energy. (The idea of fakers also makes it more difficult for real disabled people to get the help they need. )[15] X Research source
Stay far away from stereotype that mental illness medications are for the weak. [18] X Research source These medications may be the only way to have a decent or functional life. For some people, a diagnosis and the subsequent accommodations are an enormous relief. Getting help instead of “toughing it out” can make life much easier, and it’s better than getting frustrated or blaming themselves for struggling with an issue they don’t have a name for. Show disabled characters asking for help, and non-disabled characters asking the disabled character what they need. [19] X Research source This can encourage the idea of people with disabilities asking for and receiving help when they need it.
Some people with visible disabilities try very hard to emphasize that “I’m just like you. " Others don’t. Some people with invisible or semi-visible disabilities are very nervous about others knowing they are disabled. Others choose not to care what others think of them, and spend less energy on blending in. Some people can “pass” as non-disabled, while others cannot.
Bullying, being left out Feeling alone, not seeing others like them in real life or in the media Being talked down to, or talked about as if they weren’t there Trying and failing to perform to non-disabled standards; seeing adults’ disappointment Watching “helpful” adults give up on them when their disability isn’t magically cured by the power of love[23] X Research source [24] X Research source Enduring abuse to “cure” deafness or autistic traits More. [25] X Research source
Assume that people with the same disability as your character will be reading the story. What type of impression do you want to make on them? Will your story help them feel good about who they are? Family members and peers of disabled people will also read this story. How do you want to influence their perspectives and behavior?
An interesting character has agency and pursues goals in the story. [27] X Research source [28] X Research source Even a minor character can contribute something small to the plot: the observant autistic boy who notices that something is wrong, or the sister with cerebral palsy who has incredible computer skills. Avoid having characters refer to the disabled character as a burden, tragedy, etc. (unless you wish to show that this character is cruel)
Aliens and fantasy creatures can have the names of human disabilities. The same disability existing in two worlds isn’t going to be the least improbable thing in your story.
While authors who write this may mean well, it can have unfortunate implications for real-life disabled people who don’t have savant skills or compensatory superpowers. People with disabilities are valuable without superhuman powers.
If you absolutely need a disabled villain, then make several good disabled characters or have the main character disabled. That way, the villain is the exception and not the rule. Otherwise, have no disabled characters at all. No representation is better than stigmatizing representation. [36] X Research source
Instead of showing the person becoming less disabled, try showing them learning to handle their disability better, and others learning to accommodate them.
Avoid falling prey to “inspiration porn,” which involves labeling disabled people as inspiring for doing ordinary things. [39] X Research source [40] X Research source [41] X Research source Disabled people don’t exist solely to inspire non-disabled people.
If your story involves love and romance, then let characters with disabilities be included in that. This helps show that they’re desirable and worth dating. A small portion of disabled people are aromantic and/or asexual (just like a small portion of non-disabled people are). If you have an aro/ace disabled character, consider showing other disabled characters who are in love, to make it clear that disability doesn’t negate sexuality.
In most cases, seeking a cure would be a poor use of time. It would be much more efficient to get accommodations (e. g. , support at school, a better wheelchair), and focus their time on projects that use their talents and yield actual results.
Autistic people are often represented as clinical, unfeeling, cold,[42] X Research source and/or intensely super-powered. [43] X Research source Mentally ill people may be portrayed as intensely creative,[44] X Research source or as dangerous people who deserve anything that happens to them. [45] X Research source Medication doesn’t always “cure” ADHD; it is still a real disability even after treatment. [46] X Research source
A happy disability-related ending could be getting the accommodations they need: an awesome power wheelchair, a fun and helpful new therapy, their dad learning sign language, etc. Or give them a regular happy ending: acceptance into their dream college, a sweet boyfriend, being elected to the Senate, or a group of awesome friends.
If your story is accurate with a good message, readers with the disability may start recommending it to each other and their loved ones. This can make a powerful impression!
