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The Truth About Helen Keller

Article. By Ruth Shagoury.
A review of children's picture books about the life of Helen Keller reveals the omission of any description of her active role in key social movements of the 20th century.

Americans Who Tell the Truth

Website. Portraits by Robert Shetterly and biographies of individuals who have taken a stand for justice.

10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children’s Books for Ableism

Article. By Chloë Myers and Hank Bersani Jr. Rethinking Schools, Winter 2008/09.
A guide for analyzing children's books for prejudice by able-bodied and able-minded people toward people with disabilities.

Beyond the Medal: Representations of Disability in Caldecott Winners

Article. By Chloë Myers-Hughes and Hank Bersani Jr. Winter 2009-10.
The authors of “10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children’s Books for Ableism” look at what Caldecott winners tell young children about disability.

Disability History Week

Film. From Y.O. Disabled and Proud. 2010. 6 minutes.
Youth at the 2010 Youth Organizing! Disabled and Proud Disability History Campaign Summit YO! explain why they believe disability history should be taught in schools.

The Museum of disABILITY History

Website. Timeline from Museum of disABILITY History that chronicles significant events in disability history from 400 B.C. to 1999.

The Power of 504

Film. 1977. 18 minutes.
Documentary on the historic civil rights demonstration of people with disabilities in 1977.

Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement: Oral Histories and Archives

Digital collection. More than 100 oral histories with leaders and shapers of the disability rights and independent living movement.

101 Changemakers: Rebels and Radicals Who Changed US History

Book — Non-fiction. By Michele Bollinger and Dao Tran. 2012.
A collection of 101 brief and accessible profiles of rebels, radicals, and fighters for social justice.

Who Stole Helen Keller?

By Ruth Shagoury

In these times of vast economic disparities and ecological crisis, children need examples of people throughout history who committed their lives to justice — to bringing more equality and fairness to the world. Helen Keller, whose birthday we celebrate this month — June 27th — could be one of those role models. Instead, textbooks and children’s literature distort her life’s work, and miss key opportunities to inspire young people to make a difference in the world.

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