Booked for Better Access

New Book Club that Promotes Inclusivity and Accessibility

Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) is a nonprofit whose vision is a fully accessible community where disability is valued as human diversity and everyone belongs. The agency, primarily led and staffed by people with disabilities, is dedicated to fostering a community where disabled individuals can participate fully in everyday life with equal opportunities. One way the agency carries out their mission is through their Advocacy Academy program, an annual paid summer internship for young adults with disabilities. Interns learn disability history, advocacy skills, and ultimately carry out a community impact project.

Former Advocacy Academy intern and frequent Kalamazoo Public Library visitor, Abby Turner, lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Dysautonomia; these conditions cause chronic pain, joint instability, and issues with her heart and blood pressure. Abby was beyond excited to learn that KPL and DNSWM are partnering for a “#DWord” book club. #DWord refers to the word “disability,” and the club’s name is a nod to DNSWM’s 2024 and 2025 social campaigns, #DWord: Disability is not a bad word. and #DWord: Disability is not always visible.

The campaigns have sought to promote acceptance and inclusion for the more than 42.5 million Americans living with a disability, specifically rejecting society’s notion that having a disability is negative or shameful. The 2025 campaign, aimed to inform that disability is broad, with 80% of disabilities being non-apparent, like Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and more. To highlight authentic, lived experiences from the Disability Community, the #DWord book club will feature works authored by writers with disabilities and center around disabled characters.

Abby emphasized the opportunity for learning about diverse life experiences through reading, and recalled a special interaction with KPL from several years ago. Upon entering her local KPL branch, she was amazed to find a display featuring all disability-focused works. “I couldn’t believe it. I’ve always had to seek out disability-related books. This was the first time I saw them spotlighted for me,” she shared. Abby noticed an outdated version of the disability pride flag on the display (the original version of the flag created in 2019 was updated in 2021 to be more accessible, particularly for individuals with sensory disabilities). Abby credits her Advocacy Academy experience for having the confidence and skills to advocate to KPL staff that the outdated Disability Pride flag should be swapped out for the newer version. KPL staff were eager to learn and happily made the change to the flag which is still in place today.

To Abby, the #DWord book club will help create community by bringing people together to connect and learn in a welcoming and safe space. She noted that there are so many people with disabilities in Kalamazoo and a book club centering around that aspect of identity acknowledges their existence, presence, and value as community members. Both the book club and PRISM feature will help to build awareness, acceptance, and show that disability is okay and nothing to be ashamed of. “KPL wants to include us and that is huge,” she added.

Her recommended read is Deaf author Sara Novic’s book True Biz, which follows students at school for the Deaf. The book highlights oralism, sign language, civil rights, and shows how important community is for Deaf individuals and disabled people in general. This read is an easy,  way to learn about disability.

Disability Network Southwest Michigan is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Kalamazoo Public Library, highlight disability, and include community members in the ensuing conversation.