A View From Our Shoes: Library Books Featuring Characters with Disabilities

Foundation 205 Thiems Grant Winner 2023

 

 

Thiems Grant logo

 

SERG strives to increase awareness and gain support for individuals with disabilities in our community. In the spring of 2023, the SERG parent group secured a Foundation 205 Thiems Grant to provide every school in the district with funds to purchase books that have a strong representation of children with disabilities, many of which are written by individuals with disabilities. This generous grant will allow children with disabilities to see themselves in their books, and at the same time increase disability awareness throughout the district. It is our hope that these texts will increase awareness and understanding, as well as promote empathy and acceptance for individuals with disabilities. Most importantly it will allow our children to see themselves mirrored in the books that they are able to check out at school

With the grant funds, SERG members selected from a curated list of books that present a positive representation of disability and diversity. Each school's selection includes age appropriate books for every grade, and took into consideration books already on the shelves.  Additionally, each librarian was able to choose a selection they thought best fit the needs of their school. 

A photo of several book titles
A group of adults pose around boxes and piles of books
Sorting books! SERG reps and Foundation 205 volunteers worked to get all the books organized and ready to go to their schools.

Click the Name of Your School to See the Full List of Books Added